[catmele]

We received message tonight that we have the opportunity to switch to Astrakhan & we can travel on our first trip the end of the month but the first trip would be 10 days. We were waiting for a girl under 18 months from Kemerovo since April 06. If anyone had adopted from Astrakhan or is waiting to adopt from there can you share some details about the region. I looked on the Yahoo board but could not find alot of recent info. My agency does not have accreditation yet but has NGO status. Of course they want an answer very quickly! Thanks!
Cathy

[catmele]

Bump..Bump... Bump

[mommyto4]

Sorry don't have any info Cathy, but you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted, Best Wishes!!!

[Amysue1112]

HI Kathy! I don't know anything about there either..but I do know that we waited in Kemerovo for a young girl for a year and ended up having to move regions. We completed our adoption in June, so I don't know if the back up in the same in Kemerovo (or it may have been agency specific)...
Good luck! I am sure it is sort of exciting to think something might happen...and SOON!

Oh yes...our first trip was 7 days in Russia...so not too much shorter...

[Pinkie]

Hi Cathy, I'm not much help I'm afraid. There are some regulars on here who adopted from Astrakhan so keep your message bumped up! GOOD LUCK.

[cathvash]

Cathy, Trust your gut. Best wishes!

[mixtim]

I don't know anything about the region currently, but we were stuck there in '04-'05 when there was a big slow down. We eventually switched out after no movement and our agency no longer does business there. So, I guess my point is, unless things have changed my impression is that it is not an ideal region.

[Sally26]

Don't have any advice, but praying for you.
Let us know what you decide.

[LouLouBelle]

I know someone on this board recently returned home from Astrakhan. Keep bumping this up and I'm sure she will respond. She returned home with an adorable little girl

[lakimnafite]

That, I suppose, would be me! I already responded to the OP on the Astrakhan board, which is why I didn't here as well!!

[catmele]

Thanks everyone. We decided to pass on going to Astrakhan. There were a few reasons why but the main 2-3 were we spoke to someone from our agency who was the last family to go & first one to go indepenent & they were almost there for 3 weeks & sounds like the 2nd trip would also be 3 weeks. We just can not do that with a 3 1/2 yr at home. He also told us that he was not allowed to take pics of the referral until they accepeted & signed that they would adopt him & we re not comfortable with that. I think this was just because they were there independently. So the wait continues for accreditation

[swmphoto]

We waited about 6 months for a referral from Kemerovo
well actually Novokuznesk. He is a boy but once
every thing started getting rolling things went smoothly
except a canceled court date that got moved one month
forward. Anyway working in the Kemerovo region
was fine and the locals were kind. Hope you
get the call SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shine4bella]

Dear Catmele,
This is from a man so youll know. I have been to Astrakhan many times. It is on the Caspian Sea and is where Beluga caviar is from. The city is small and old but a huge oil deposit was found several years ago and an enormous oil company is drilling there and many, many changes are occuring. The people are exceptional, similar to downhome type folk. The orphanages are poor, but the staff are well trained and very caring. I visited every orphanage in the region and found truly loving people and adorable..but every child is adorable... It is a great place, in my view, for the care provided and the warm of the people. if you would like to know more, please send a PM. I would be happy to oblige. The Judge in that region is also a very warm and caring individual, and helpful.

[reddizon]

We recently travelled to Astrakhan in our first trip, between 12/22-12/29. It was a beautiful place, and "folksy" was a good description of the area. We stayed at the Azimut hotel, and when I walked around the neighborhood, it felt like i was in an early 1900s movie. But you are right that most folks in this region are very friendly and accommodating.

We are adopting "independently" with the help of our agency, of course. My understanding is that the bigger agencies with a good reputation are being allowed to adopt independently, but by no means is there a lot of us. I think it has trickled to about 2 cases per month. We are with one of the biggie agencies.

At least in some orphanages, ours included, they did not allow us to take pictures until we signed the letter of intent. It was really to protect the privacy of the child, we respected that. But once you made a decision, you can take as much pics and videos as you want.

The orphanage we went to was indeed full of caring social workers and caretakers. From my discussion with a lot of folks that adopted from there, the children receive the best of care. Our coordinator told us that many of the caretakers have actually adopted kids in their care.

You are correct about the 2nd trip being longer. My understanding is that the 10 day wait list is no longer waived unless for immediate health issues. The passport office also takes about 7 business days to process as well, potentially making your trip long. I will be brining some instant coffee in hopes of having them expedite this process.

Good luck to you!

[ddahl]

We adopted in September 2005. While in Moscow, we met another couple who had just complete adoption number 2 in Astrakhan. They received a fast referral. In fact they got the referral in july and had court in September. The baby was darker hair and olive skin, looked adorable and was fat and sassy. Court was fast and nothing unexpected. We were happy for them especially since we waited 18 months to complete our adoption in St. Petersburg. Asrtrakhan seemed to be a breeze. Our agency is no longer going there of late. Good luck! Oh by the way, I think she said that the daddy has to go back to get the documents the following day which is done via train. Typically the mommies stay in Moscow and the daddies go back. I can;t remember any additional details. Good luck!