[hml1976]

Has anyone heard officially from their agency that Almaty (city) is opening? I really hope that its true, I often think about all of those kids, growing up without families over the past year and a half.

[lovestruck]

I haven't heard it from our agency, but someone on the Kaz board said they are traveling to Almaty in early Feb.

[bryanskmom2b]

I saw this today on the JCISC's website at Kazakhstan

"
January 25, 2007 -
Joint Council staff and Board of Directors met with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Monday in conjunction with our quarterly Board meeting. The following update was supplied to us by DOS:
DOS received positive news from Kazakhstan the week of January 15th, with an apparent decision by the office of the Mayor of Almaty to reinstate adoptions by U.S. citizens. As the Joint Council has shared with the membership and public at large, the Almaty office had previously maintained a unilateral ban on American adoptions, even after the Kazakhstani national government again began accepting American adoption dossiers in late 2005. We believe the reopening of Almaty will prove to be in the best interests of many Kazakhstani children who will now be able to find permanent homes and families in the United States. DOS office director Ellen Conway is likely to travel to Kazakhstan in February and will have meetings on adoption issues. We will continue to update the membership on any new developments as they are received by the Joint Council office."


Looks like AWESOME news to me!

Sherri
Mom to JC - Adopted from Saratov Russia 2-2006
_______________________

Kaz Dossier to Agency: 10-2006
Dossier to MFA: 1-2007
Waiting to adopt a boy < 2 years old

[pequele]

I saw on another board someone was supposed to be going as well but her trip was cancelled due to it closing again??? Seems too fast if it was just opened again on the 25th!

I hope to start my process in May!!! I am excited to hear there may be more opportunities soon!!!

[mlb]

Our agency sent us an email that Almaty is opening again. They didn't give details however. This is great news for all of those children, and it will hopefully make the process smoother since there will be more cities to go to.

[kazmama25]

From what I've been able to gather, it looks like Almaty City is indeed opening again, which is wonderful news! Our friends have been waiting for their son for almost 2 years now and will finally be able to get him.
The poster from the Yahoo group had her trip cancelled due to an inspection at the Karakastek Baby house (where our daughter is from). Karakastek is in Almaty Region (1.5 hrs. away) and has been open throughout the City's closure. Families going to Karakastek usually stay in Almaty City. I know that causes a lot of confusion. Hope that clears it up a little! The closure of Almaty City actually helped a lot of Karakastek kiddos find homes, which is wonderful but, so many Almaty City kids have been waiting for families. It will be great to see them finally come home!

[charlotte16]

Yes! I got confirmation today from the us embassy in almaty that it is indeed open. Hurray!

[pequele]

Originally Posted by kazmama25

From what I've been able to gather, it looks like Almaty City is indeed opening again, which is wonderful news! Our friends have been waiting for their son for almost 2 years now and will finally be able to get him.
The poster from the Yahoo group had her trip cancelled due to an inspection at the Karakastek Baby house (where our daughter is from). Karakastek is in Almaty Region (1.5 hrs. away) and has been open throughout the City's closure. Families going to Karakastek usually stay in Almaty City. I know that causes a lot of confusion. Hope that clears it up a little! The closure of Almaty City actually helped a lot of Karakastek kiddos find homes, which is wonderful but, so many Almaty City kids have been waiting for families. It will be great to see them finally come home!

Awsome!!!!

[hbaileymom]

Yes! I just turned in my post-placement this week, and confirmed wtih the agency that Almaty is opening, and will be receiving U.S. families soon!!!! This is awesome news, having adopted from there on my first, and worrying about those kids not able to find a home.

Heather