looking for help in kazakhstan
 

myself and my fiencee are currently trying to addopt a child from kazakhstan, were funding everything ourself's and beleive me its horrifically expensive, im trying to locate an english speaking person out there who would help us with translations and give advice on the easiest way to drive/ride into kazak. if theres anyone out there who could help please contact me on either panster1085@yahoo.co.uk or better still my fiencee (as im working away alot) on surf9967@yahoo.co.uk
thanks guys/girls
Andi

You might try David Burghoff at www.stantours.com. What you describe is not the business he is in, but he can certainly advise you on overland travel in the region and help you with the visa's. If he is not intereested in the translating work etc. he may know someone who is.

Panster, I have good freinds who have done just that. It was a bureaucratic nightmare and very very draining, but they are now very happy with a great little boy and living in France. I must say there were very different approaches to this by those I met doing it, some thoughtful and respectful, some repulsive. I know I had some difficulty comming to terms with those who viewed it as a shopping trip, " I've been offerred a discount on a teenager..should I take two!" " No I really want a russian one" etc.....send me an email and I will forward it on.

beleive me this isnt the case with us, we already have three boys but as a family we are able to offer a less fortunate child love and an oppertunity in life. i realy appreciate the information i have been given so far and i shall be contacting David Burghoff in the near future. it would also be a huge help if you could contact your friends as were struggling to find anyone who's been through the addoption process in kazak.
Also does anyone know if its possible to make it to almaty from blighty via paved roads or am i definately looking at buying a 4x4?
thanks again guys
Andi

Paved the whole way. But best bits aren't.

my 2 cents
 

David Berghof does indeed know the place very very well, and is a helpful and friendly guy - cooks great curry. The roads in Southern Kazakhstan vary from good to very very good, less so in the north, but the road to Semey from Almaty is pretty good - no real problems and the road from Astana to Almaty is brand new and popular with owners of fireblades and R1s -must be good

As far as beaurocracy with child exportation I haven't got a clue, sorry. I found traveling through the stans to be a lot easier than Russia though...

you must want your head looking at! im married to a kazak:) im sure she will help with some translation or will know someone who can, we had enough problems just getting her and her son here to the uk , so i feel for you trying to adopt,