London, May 8 (ANI): Yohane Banda has opened up about just what compelled him to hand over his son David to music icon Madonna, and to let her adopt the little boy.

Banda says that poverty, and the loss of two sons due to it, was the deciding factor.

"After losing two sons, I really wanted David to survive,'' the Mirror quoted Mr Banda, as telling a foreign news agency.

He insisted that placing his young son in an orphanage had been the "surest'' way to ensure his survival, and also hit out at claims that he then abandoned his son.

Mr Banda says that though he had originally planned to bring David home when he was old enough to eat solid food, he changed his mind after the pastor who runs the orphanage told him that a "rich white woman" was interested the baby.

"We sat down as a family to consider it. After banging our heads together we thought this was good for David so we readily agreed," he said.

Later this month, a judge is expected to rule on Madonna's adoption request. (ANI)