The Karakastek orphanage is located in the Almaty region and is home to children age birth to 7 years old. The baby home houses anywhere from 75 to 125 at a given time. It is a village orphanage that is only supported by the local government and is very poor and under funded. The children lack proper nutrition, are very small and often sick. Part of the reason for their sickness and malnutrition is poor water conditions. Most children adopted from Karakastek come home with bacteria or parasites that are caused by drinking or ingesting contaminated water. Just looking at statistics of children that are adopted with parasites we are sure that many of the children still waiting for a family are also infected. We can change their diets or supply vitamins but it will only do so much if the water is not also changed.
On our recent trip to Kazakhstan we were approached by the orphanage doctor asking for help in purchasing a water filtration system. Our board has decided that this is a fantastic way to improve the lives of the orphans at Karakastek.
Our fundraising goal is $3000. With this money we will purchase 6 water systems and 24 replacement filters. Please join with us in making sure the children are no longer made sick by drinking contaminated water.
Our experiences in Kazakhstan really make you stop and think about how much needs to be changed. While we wish we could do it all, our goal remains to provide small acts to better the lives of those orphans still waiting for their forever families.
1 comment:
Our daughter came home from Ust with giardia, which they think she had when she arrived there at 15 mos. old. When we brought her home she was 2 years 5 mos. old and weighed less than 19 pounds. It took 3 rounds of different antibiotics to clear her of this parasite. Since she is a VERY active 2 year old ;-), she has missed her window of opportunity to gain weight quickly. She is healthy now, but it will be a constant battle to get her to "catch up". Treating the water in this orphanage can help so many children, even if they never are adopted, to grow and thrive. What a great idea!!!!
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