[momo tx]

I just heard today that the Almaty Region is closed to International Adoption, effective 8/15/05. This was posted by an agency on another board. They are closed for 6 months for governmental inspections and policy changes. I wonder if this is due to their presidential election being moved up to this coming December. Has anyone else heard anything about this or if the rest of Kazakhstan will also be affected?

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

Is the whole region closed or just that agency in that region? have heard that sometimes certain organizations get closed in a region, but not the whole region. I hope that is the case! I checked the US website for Importatnt Adoption Notices, and it is not mentioned there yet. I will keep watching it, and if anything is posted there I will post it here.

[cakelover34]

This happened to us last fall, we were to go to Pavlodar in Oct 04 and it got shut down for an investigation due to non-compliance with post-placement reports. It did not effect other regions and we switched regions and completed the adoption with no problem, however the shut down in Pavlodar did last for about 6 months. We found the best and most accurate source for info was to email the US Embassy in Almaty. They always answered and gave us the truth. Best of luck for those waiting, I know a hurdle like this can be pretty stressful.

Lori

[SAdoptkazakhst]

Thank you for your letter of encouragement. We just found out this morning and are very relieved to hear that you were still able to adopt. I hope everything is going well for you. Thanks again.

[cakelover34]

Yes, I have not heard that this is a country wide shut down, and based on what happened this time last year, I tend to think it will be limited and that all other adoptions should proceed normally, at least thats how it worked last year with Pavlodar. Hang in there, I am sure it will all work out.

[n8tivetxn]

Where did you get this information? It seems like people on these message boards always know the good info. before our agency. We called our social worker and she said she thought that it was just a rumor, but that the embassy is usually the last to know these things. Please pm me and let me know.

[stella1]

Our agency told us last Friday about Almaty not issuing any new invitations to the baby houses. You have to have these to start visiting and for court from what I understand. We were in Karaganda and I never saw this, but my agency handled everything, so I probably would not have known. I just went where they told me and when. It was a great experience and not too stressful.

But my agency said it had to do with an audit of post placement reports and 140 missing. But that this can be taken care of and hopefully will be on an agency by agency basis. So basically when you get all your missing post placements in they will let you go back to the process.

But my agency also said their are a lot of rumors and not to stress out over it. That was one of the great things I loved from day one with our agency, they really kept us informed.

But I know saying don't stress is easy to say and not to do if you are in the process of your adoption. So I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep the faith, these children are so worth it. Have I told you recently how smart, beautiful and sweet my daughter is. I'm a very proud mommy of a Kaz 2 year old.

[stella1]

Oh and don't be too upset with the Kaz officials for this. I mean they care about their children, they want to know they are safe and loved. We must show them that we are worthy of being mommy's and daddy's to these wonderful children. We must follow the rules that we agreed to. You can be upset that this is happening, it stinks for those waiting and stressing you guys out. But for one minute put the shoe on the other foot, to them they have 140 children "missing" and they want to know where they are and how they are doing.

Kaz gave my family the best gift, the gift of making us a family. I will always love this country!!!!

[AndreaJ]

Hi!

As of this past Monday, the region officially started a 6 month city-wide inspection concerning adoption. They have a new MOE, and logically, this would be the time to re-evaluate policy and procedure. But I wish it wasn't so long! This is only affecting the orphanages in the city of Almaty, not others in the region.

This affects people who have referrals or are waiting for LOIs in Almaty. Call your agencies....if you are affected, they should have certainly called you by now. This does happen at times in each region. Unfortunately, it's Almaty, one of the biggest regions used by most agencies this time around. Talk to your agency about the particulars of your case!!

My prayers are with everyone who is caught up in this delay.

AJ
Mom to a Kaz Kiddo