Harvard will study the Case of Kazakhstan’s “Mother’s Home”

The leading experts of Kazakhstan gathered in Astana to discuss methods of addressing one of society's most complex and multifaceted issues - orphans. Scholars from Harvard and Pittsburgh, high-ranking Kazakhstan officials, Forbes-listed entrepreneurs, and public activists all came together at the country’s first-ever international forum, “The Best Place for a Child is a Family,” organized by the “Ana Üyi” (“Mother’s Home”) Foundation.

The forum was marked by a high level of international participation, attracting experts from the USA, Turkey, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, and other countries. Over 200 people gathered at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The forum featured renowned global scholars—Junlei Li (USA), Professor and Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon University, Dean of the Faculty of Human Development and Education at Harvard University, and Tracy Larson (USA), Professor, Developmental Psychologist, Applied Researcher, and Director of the Child Development Department at the University of Pittsburgh. They conducted a master class for specialists in guardianship and trusteeship bodies, as well as leaders of public organizations. Special attention was given to the topic of implementing the institution of professional foster families and the transformation of orphanages in Kazakhstan.

Junlei Li emphasized that the impressive experience of “Mother's Home” will be studied by Harvard University specialists.

“I have worked in the field of orphan care for over 20 years. It is very rewarding to see the important and systematic work being done in Kazakhstan to prevent orphanhood and place children in foster families. I was fortunate to personally visit 'Mother’s Homes' and witness the great efforts the foundation is making to prevent situations where children are left abandoned and alone.”
The UN recognized the project as a flagship of Kazakhstani charity, and “Mother’s Home” began to scale up: its founders aim to help orphans worldwide. An international branch was launched - the Mother’s Home International Foundation (MHIF). Pilot resource centers in Ukraine and Uzbekistan are already accepting their wards, while the process of registering an MHIF branch in Malaysia is underway.