The father of Madonna's adopted daughter Mercy has appealed for pictures of his daughter to help him cope with the 'emotional pain' of being separated from the five-year-old.
Madonna adopted Mercy from an orphanage in Malawi last year. The child's father, James Kambewa, has never met his daughter because he says he thought she was dead, along with her mother.
He is now asking the superstar to send him photographs of his daughter. 'I would appreciate if Madonna could send me pictures of how she looks like now as I don't get any pleasure of being with her,' he said.
'It is emotionally painful for me as a father.'
He added that he was 'very happy' that Madonna was taking care of Mercy, but that he was hopeful that he could meet her one day in the future.
James Kambewa initially opposed the adoption but has since had a change of heart. 'I would like to make peace with Madonna so that I can meet my baby. I need someone to advise me on how to go about doing that.'
'From the time I learnt that my daughter was still alive, I've ben looking for a chance to meet with her but how I do that, I don't know.'
Do you sympathise with Mercy's biological father, or do you think he's more concerned with grabbing attention?