Madonna has a new opponent in her bid to adopt a young African girl.

Officials with childrens’ charity Save The Children have spoken out against the singer’s efforts to adopt an orphan named Mercy James. Mercy James was born to an unmarried 18-year-old who died shortly after the birth. The Material Mom will be in the Central African nation this week, where officials have confirmed that she will would begin adoption proceedings.

“It is vital children are cared for by their own community, ideally by their own family,” spokesman Dominic Nutt said in a statement. “Most children in orphanages have one parent still living, or have an extended family that can care for them in the absence of their parents.”

Madonna arrived in the village of Magwelo on the outskirts of Lilongwe, Malawi on Sunday. The pop star toured the impoverished village and discussed plans for building a new school there.