The ethnic background of most of the children available for adoption is Asian-Kazakh, however, occasionally Russian, German, Korean, Tatar and Gypsy children are available.  Keep in mind that most children are born of mixed races, born from children of different nationalities.  There are more than 80 different nationalities in Kazakhstan, with the most common being Kazakh, Russian and Uighur.

The children available for adoption in Kazakhstan include infants, toddlers, school-age children, and some sibling groups.

What Does “Database” Mean?
It is a common misconception that all children in orphanages are eligible for adoption.  In fact, since many parents are not willing to terminate their parental rights, only approximately 10% of children in orphanages are eligible for international adoption.   In Kazakhstan, the current Family Code states that any child eligible for adoption is required to have an official child relinquishment document from the birth parents, and/or an official document verifying abandonment. Also, the child must be placed on a Central database for 3 months and a Local database for 3 months. The database is a central listing of all legally “adoptable” orphans. This period of time allows for citizens of Kazakhstan to adopt the children. Only after they are off both databases can the child be freed for international adoption. Children may become available as young as 6 months.  Therefore, referrals are at least six months (which is rare) and more often 12 months of age or more. We encourage families to be flexible when requesting the age of a child as the officials do not always match exactly the age requested.

Orphanages and Baby Houses
All the children come from orphanages or “hospitals”. Many of the regions separate the children according to their age.  For example, a child under 12 months of age may be in a “baby house" or "children’s hospital.” This is not due to the child being ill, but this terminology is used because many of the caretakers may have nursing skills and there are more caretakers per child due to the increased needs of the infants.

Orphans from birth up to 3-4 years old are placed into the “Baby house”. The baby houses are unique due to their staff and daily routines with the children. The baby houses are staffed with doctors and nurses and specialists such as speech therapists, physical therapists, neurologists, massage therapists, music teachers, and nannies. It is similar of a residential medical facility. Once the children are 4 years old, most of the time, they will be moved to a Preschool orphanage for children 4-7 years old. The children age 7-16 live in an Orphanage, which is sometimes called a Children’s Home. The child’s placement varies due to many reasons, such as the needs of the child or no room at the next facility.

The workers are very protective of the children’s health, as an illness can quickly spread creating an epidemic throughout the entire house. The children are sent to the hospital for fevers and other illness we might consider to be minor, because caregivers are trying to keep all of the children free from getting sick. The workers are also very careful with the people that come into contact with the children and enter the baby house so they can limit the exposure of germs to the children. Many perspective parents ask about the conditions of the orphanages. It is impossible to generalize about the orphanages as there are several to hundreds in every region. You can find good ones and bad ones and everything in between. However, the families will be pleasantly surprised, as Kazakhstan has been known for their care of their children and the children’s good health. Often when the children leave the orphanage or baby house through adoption, there are many bittersweet tears from the staff and caregivers, since they love these children so dearly and will miss them – yet they only want them to have a happy life. That is why we always tell families that it is very important to have small “Goodbye ceremony” before leaving the orphanage or baby house with your child. When post placement reports are sent back and pictures of the children are given to the baby house, the caregivers remember each of the children by name and are delighted to see them thriving in their new homes. Many times you will see pictures of adopted children in director’s office, and she will always be happy to tell the stories behind each picture.

WHY CHILDREN ARE IN ORPHANAGES
There are multiple reasons that children are living in these institutionalized settings, called Baby houses or orphanages in Kazakhstan; such as economic strife, unwed mothers, relinquishment or termination of parental rights, abandonment, death of birth parents as well as number of other reasons.

DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND DEVELOPMENTAL ACCELERATION
The general rule is that children are delayed a month of development for every 3-4 months in the children’s home. Dr. Aronson has written about what she has found in regard to head circumference in Russian children (which applies to Kazakh children as well) at http://www.members.aol.com/jaronmink/russvid.htm  Some of the experts are now saying that many children are demolishing the medical community expectations and heads are growing when adopted after the age of 3 years.

HEALTH OF CHILDREN
Many US doctors have commented on the good care of the children, and they are amazed at how well the children look upon arrival home after being adopted. Because Kazakhstan is primarily a Muslim country, alcohol and drug usage are not socially acceptable. Incidences of fetal alcohol syndrome and other such delays related to drug and alcohol abuse are rare. Children available for adoption in Kazakhstan are generally healthy. Also because the caretaker to child ratio is very small, the children are incredibly well bonded. Attachment and bonding disorders are also less prevalent than in some other Eastern European countries.

Fetal alcohol syndrome
Because Kazakhstan is primarily a Muslim country, alcohol and drug use are not socially acceptable. Incidences of fetal alcohol syndrome and other such delays related to drug and alcohol use are rare.

Additional Medical Examination Can Be Arranged
Sometimes the children are under some sort of quarantine. The disease season runs from October through March in a children’s home. Sick children are hospitalized when they need more care than is available from the staff and also to keep the other children from being infected. It is typically not as serious as hospitalization in the U.S. If a family wishes to have their own private consultation from a physician in Kazakhstan, the family is responsible for the cost of the medical examination, but Children's Hope International personnel will gladly make the necessary arrangements.  Please be aware that this may be another Kazakhstan doctor.  If you know that you want this service before you travel, please notify us as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements.   

OLDER CHILD AND SPECIAL NEEDS ADOPTION
There are many older and special needs children in need of a forever family in Kazakhstan. Please inquire about older and waiting children. There are also older waiting children in Kazakhstan that are available for adoption. Due to law of Kazakhstan, we cannot display the pictures of these kids on our CHI Family Net website, and information about these children cannot be disclosed unless the family’s dossier is ready. Please call your Branch or the St. Louis office about these children and the possibility to adopt them.

WONDERFUL WAITING CHILDREN                     
Please consider an older child, age 3-6 when deciding about your adoption from Kazakhstan. There are many wonderful children waiting for their forever family. When your dossier is complete, contact either the St. Louis office or your Branch office to see if any of these children are available, off the database and would have a place in your heart, life and family.