Kazakhstan Adoption Background

Located northwest of China and south of Russia, Kazakhstan borders the Caspian and Aral seas. Famed in ancient times for the Zhezkazgan and Sayak copper mines, these very same copper mines are still actively worked today. The Grand Silk Route, which served as a reliable link joining the West and the East, ran through many ancient Kazakh cities. In addition to bringing silk to the world, the Grand Silk Route also brought dancing, painting, architecture, music, and a number of religions to the peoples of the world. Following the breakup of the former Soviet Union, the Independent Republic of Kazakhstan was founded in 1991.

Children who end up in the orphanages of Kazakhstan are typically abandoned at the hospital at birth. This means that some (albeit minimal) birthparent history may be available, along with some of the child’s medical history. These children are usually abandoned due to extreme poverty – because the birthfamily is unable to provide for them.

Credits: The International Adoption Guidebook, © Mary M. Strickert