I know my husband and I would LOVE to see playgrounds built at every baby house and children’s home in Kazakhstan! I’m always so excited to hear about the projects in place and know many adoptive parents are also thrilled to know that the children who remain will have a nicer play area to go out to. In our hearts of hearts – we all wish for them to have forever families – each in their own home with their own swing set. Until then – let me tell you about the various playground projects that I am aware of..

Over the last 3 years, World Partners (adoption agency) has had adoptive families return to Kazakhstan and build playgrounds – to date they have completed 6 playgrounds and two more this year were scheduled according to their website – here is the link to their playground projects:

http://www.worldpartnersadoption.org/playground.html

Of course, as many adoptive parents, our children’s birth cities have taken a “high” priority for that wish list. I have not heard anything happening in Semey as of yet – but over the last few days – I’ve learned of a few projects happening in Taraz, Kazakhstan! I hope you don’t mind me sharing – I’m SO EXCITED to see this work in progress……

The Hill family who adopted from Taraz, along with the Gladney Center for Adoption has started a playground project at Umit (the babyhouse) in Taraz – to see their inspiring video – please go to:

http://playgroundofhope.com/

Interlink, a humanitarian aid foundation that does a lot of work to help the business community get started – also has a Youth Program and I’ve just learned that most of the funding is in place for Ulan (children’s home) in Taraz and a playground will be built! They are going to put in 4 towers, sandbox, slides, fort, swings, fireman’s pole, climbing walls, etc. If you are interested in donating to one of their great projects – please visit:

http://www.interlinkresources.org/donate

I hope you spend a few minutes browsing the Interlink website; we had the personal pleasure of meeting this GREAT group of folks during our adoption of Logan. They honestly were a life line for us and amazed us at how much they give of themselves to the Kazakh community. They are Americans living in Kazakhstan – I remember hearing how they lived 5 YEARS in a city with no running water or inside bathrooms and it put what we consider “long” – 5 and 7 weeks – in perspective. They made us understand to embrace the opportunity to know and love Kazakhstan. We are still at awe at how they spend years away from family and friends in the USA to give so open heartedly to Kazakhstan. Some of the people even have their families there – just amazing!

So keep the projects in mind as a possible source to give back to a country that gave us so much!