Madonna and All 4 of Her Kids (Yes, Rocco, Too) Visit Malawi

image

Madonna is visiting Malawi with her four children. (Photo: Instagram)

Malawi holds a special place in Madonna’s (rebel) heart, so her ticker must be bursting right now as she visits the country with all four of her children.

With her custody drama with ex-husband Guy Ritchie over Rocco behind her, the Material Girl, 57, is happily documenting her summer adventures in Africa with her brood, Lola, Rocco, David Banda, and Mercy James — the latter two of whom were born there. On Friday, Madge, who tries to visit Malawi at least once a year, posted photos from the Home of Hope Orphanage in Mchinji, where David lived as a baby.

Lola, who recently finished her sophomore year at the University of Michigan, snuggled two beautiful siblings.

3 Beauties! Lola spends time with twins, Stella and Esther at Home of Hope Orphanage: ????

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Jul 8, 2016 at 6:49am PDT

Rocco, who turns 16 in August, held hands with some young friends — and looked so grown up doing so.

Squad ?? Rocco at Home of Hope In Michingi??

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Jul 7, 2016 at 10:24am PDT

Mercy, 10, showed off her megawatt smile as she talked to a group of children.

Mercy makes new friends at Home of Hope in Michinji! Malawi !

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Jul 7, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

And Madonna looked at home surrounded by some beautiful faces hoping they will get as lucky as David and Mercy by finding a home of their own.

A Warm Welcome at Home Of Hope Orphanage in Michingi Malawi the Warm Heart of Africa??

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Jul 7, 2016 at 9:51am PDT

This is the family’s second stop in Africa. Prior to this, they spent time in Kenya, where Madonna was working in collaboration with SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities). In addition to meeting some of the people the organization is helping — like a woman named Mama Sofie, who started a business to provide for her 14 children after her husband was killed in a political uprising — they built a playground and helped work on a primary school that is being built for girls.

Sitting with Mama Sofie, We are Humbled!

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Jul 3, 2016 at 1:39pm PDT

Here’s skater boy Rocco showing off his art skills at the school.

And Lola doing some brushwork with a little girl with a very American name.

This video shows more of their efforts and features Madonna’s kids.

We Are One! In Kibera! ??

A video posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Jul 5, 2016 at 2:51am PDT

During the trip, Madonna also met with the first lady of Kenya.

Madonna first visited the desperately impoverished Malawi, which is south of Kenya on the eastern side of Africa, a decade ago — in April 2006 — at the suggestion of a businesswoman there who told her that the country was in crisis. On her second trip, Madonna adopted David, who turns 11 in September. In 2009, she won a court battle to adopt daughter Mercy. (The adoption continues to be plagued by drama as members of the girl’s extended family, who came out of the woodwork after the girl was adopted by the millionaire songstress, routinely speak out against it.)

Through her Raising Malawi charity, Madonna funds several orphanages there and during this trip will be looking in at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, where a 50-bed pediatrics ward is being built.

Madonna’s efforts in Malawi haven’t always been appreciated. In 2013, then-president Joyce Banda trashed her when plans for an academy for girls were scrapped because of allegations of mismanagement. Banda’s administration claimed Madonna bullied state officials. Banda was ousted in 2014 and the new president, Peter Mutharika, repaired relations with the superstar.

Things appear back on track — and that’s a good thing.