Kazapalooza - "Kazakh Party"

Kazapalooza (“Kazakh Party”)!  Palooza means “party”!

This past weekend Beth Turnock and I had the honor and privilege to be part of a great annual event held this year at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio.  It was a gathering of over a hundred families who have adopted at least once from Kazakhstan.  Many of the families have made the trip to Kazakhstan several times in order to complete their family.  Adopting from Kazakhstan is a long drawn out process and a testimony to the dedication these parents have for their children. It was a delight to see children glowing and thriving in their adoptive families. 

The women bringing Kazapalooza together are adoptive mothers themselves.  (Gretchen, from TN, mom of 3, Muriel, from IL, Mom of 2, Lori, from Ohio, Mom of 6, Kristan, from FL, Mom of 3, Karen, from KY, Mom of 1, Michelle, from WI, Mom of 2)  They dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours organizing and preparing for this event.   It was fabulous!!  (to see more pictures from this event) 

The experience of traveling half way around the world to bring home their precious children united them with a common experience.  Their desire for their children to feel a connection to their birth families and to their birth country, as well as to see other children just like themselves, is the driving force for this event. 

Friday night was a family cook-out with games for the children.  A pie eating contest topped off the evening.  My heart loved seeing all these precious children running around having so much fun.  I kept looking into their faces wondering if any had siblings I knew back in Taraz.  As much as my heart loved seeing these happy children, it also ached for all those children left behind.   Their futures do not look as bright as these at Kazapalooza.   Those left behind have no one to advocate for them when they struggle in school.   They have no one to comfort them when they are hurt or to hold them in their arms when they are overwhelmed with life. 

  A luncheon and raffle was held Saturday.   The families not only wanted to celebrate and enjoy one another, they also desired to give back to those children left behind.   Each year the event planning committee chooses a non-profit working with orphans in Kazakhstan to donate funds raised during this event.   This year Ark Village, a wonderful private orphanage outside Almaty run by an Italian man, was chosen. Papa Guido has been running Ark Village for 12 years.   Each family brought an item to be raffled off.   There were some wonderful gifts which raised monies for Ark Village. 

What amazed me is that these families not only adopted their child but are staying actively involved and giving back to children that remain in the orphanage system in Kazakhstan.   These adoptive parents’ hearts have been touched and transformed. 

I heard many stories of treasured memories the families have.   Their desire is to expose their children to the rich heritage of Kazakhstan.  Many talked of wanting to return with their children when they are older so they can see Kazakhstan and learn about their birth country.   The desire for their children to be healthy, well-rounded and joyful was abundantly evident in all. 

There were also stories of their child’s struggles to overcome past traumas and the surprise they had when learning about issues they had no clue about previously.  I was encouraged to hear each parent’s determination to find the resources needed to help their children be the best they can be no matter what.    They could laugh at the struggles, at themselves and at things they had never thought funny before.  There was a comfort each family felt being surrounded by people who didn’t react or look strangely when a child had a melt down because they were in a new place, out of routine and over stimulated.  It was accepted that these precious children fight a battle against terrors and traumas most could never imagine.  The lack of a loving parent during those first critical years of life has left scars that may not be seen by the eye but are present nevertheless.  Only in a loving, caring environment will these children learn to overcome what they weren’t given at the beginning of their lives.  Each of the children at Kazapalooza now have parents who are dedicated to loving and nurturing them.  What joy that was to see!  Families came from as far away as Texas, Virginia, and Canada. 

The desire of my heart is see the children on the J127 ranch thriving and learning to overcome the traumas in their lives as they build a future and become contributing members of the society they will live in.  J127 Ranch will be a place for each child to engage with others and in that process be enriched and empowered to become all he or she was created to be. 

Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Victoria on behalf J127 Ranch Team

I can't believe how fast the days are passing!.  I'm also amazed some days at the amount of work needed to make the vision a J127 Ranch reality.   But I am pleased to announce that thanks to much hard work from Cindy Lajoy and Kim Floyde at Aspenglow Services  the J127 Ranch website - www.j127ranch.org is now live. 

Beth and I are humbled and thankful for all of you who are stepping forward to be part of the vision to engage, enrich and empower orphan children in the Taraz area of Kazakhstan.  

One amazing couple has stepped forward and offered a Matching Grant.  They are offering $5000.00 each for Beth and me toward the $14,000.00 we each need to apply for permanent residency.  We are amazed and overwhelmed by this donor's support and generosity.

There are several reasons why permanent residency is so important.  One of the major obstacles of staying long term in Kazakhstan is the Visa.  With permanent residency we will not need to continually re-apply for a new Visa.

In addition to the benefit of not needing to frequently leave the country to apply for a new visa, permanent residency offers us the ability to purchase and own property. Without property our J127 project is on hold.  With this gracious matching gift, we have the possibility of applying for permanent residency and of soon owning property. 

So, for all of you who feel called to be part of this vision, here is a great opportunity to jump start the whole project. Come help us to double this $10,000.00 grant. With your help, the $10,000 will become $20,000 towards the $28,000.00 we need for permanent residency. Your donation, in whatever amount, will be matched up to $10,000.

Please make sure to add a note that your donation is for the J127 Ranch - Matching Grant for Permanent Residency


You may mail a check or money order directly or use your Bank Online Bill Pay system.  Checks should be payable to   J127 Ranch / A.C.T. Intl and should include your name and address in order to receive a receipt. 

Send To: A.C.T. Intl
PO Box 1966
Brentwood, TN  37024-1966

Donate Online using your credit card by going to www.J127Ranch.org/donate.  A.C.T. Intl provide this option for your convenience, but please be advised that there is a 5% processing fee charged the J127 Ranch to cover the cost charged by the credit card companies.  

We are excited to see how all the ranch hands and wranglers are being brought together.   

Blessings and Joys to you each.. 

Victoria for the J127 Ranch Team 

Be part of J127 Ranch to
  Engage, Enrich, Empower

the orphan children in the Taraz area of Kazakhstan