Malawi awaits Madonna's return

Madonna poses for photographers in London, in this Thursday Jan. 25, 2007 file photo. Preparations are under way for a return visit to Malawi by the pop star, who is adopting a child from the southern African country where her charity does work among its many AIDS orphans. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

LILONGWE, Malawi - Malawi is preparing for a return visit by pop star Madonna, whose efforts to adopt a Malawian toddler last fall sparked an international controversy.

The singer's New York-based publicist, Liz Rosenberg, said Madonna was going to Africa to continue her work with the Raising Malawi organization, which supports the country's many

AIDS orphans. She denied rumors that she is going to adopt another child.

"She is overseeing the building of a children's health care center. She is absolutely not adopting another baby," Rosenberg said in a statement.

Sources at Kumbali Lodge, the tree-covered ranch in the capital, Lilongwe, where Madonna and her entourage stayed last year, said her security team has arrived. She was expected on Monday.

Madonna, 48, and her filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie were granted an interim court order on Oct. 12 allowing them to take initial custody of then 14-month-old David.

Rights groups have said they are concerned the government cut legal corners to fast-track the adoption. Malawi regulations stipulate that prospective parents undergo an 18- to 24-month assessment period in the country. But Madonna and Ritchie were allowed to take David to their London home, which Malawian child welfare officials will visit twice to monitor the family.

Yacinta Chapomba, a director of local aid group Consol Homes, which has been involved with Madonna's organization in the building of a children's care center, said an official opening ceremony would be held at the center on Monday. She could not confirm whether the star would attend.

The center in the impoverished village of Mphandula, 30 miles outside Lilongwe, will initially house 400 children who lost their parents to AIDS.

The orphanages and care centers Madonna is involved with have been freshly painted and spruced up while security around the exclusive lodge where she stayed last year has been tightened.

Madonna's last visit was shrouded in secrecy and the star made no comment to reporters but was seen singing and dancing with children at orphanages.