Children from the orphanage in Almaty protested against the relocation to Qonayev.

A video message from one of the residents of Children's Home No. 1 in Almaty previously appeared online, where he spoke on behalf of all the children living in the facility.

"Our children's home is being relocated. Trees are being cut down, and our territory is being turned into something unrecognizable. Living here is becoming impossible. Please help our children's home. We are being moved to Kapchagay or Qonaev. Where the steppe is, where the prison is. They want to send us there. We do not want to leave at all. This is our home," - notes the resident Kirill Kapranov in the video message.

The message caught the attention of lawyer Anna Chernova.

"Sending children to some unfinished building in Qonaev is, in my opinion, just a regular eviction to an exclusion zone where abandoned children are left. There are no communications or infrastructure, but there are 4 correctional colonies nearby. It seems our officials thought a good neighborhood with a prison was suitable for children. And why do they need a prestigious area in Almaty? What difference does it make where orphans live," - she expressed her outrage.

Meanwhile, the akimat of Almaty region reported that the residents of the children's home would meet with the regional akim and visit the new building.

"On March 3, the children will inspect the facility and familiarize themselves with the living conditions. On the same day, they have a meeting scheduled with the regional akim Marat Sultangaziev. Among the residents visiting the building will be Kirill Kapranov, Alexey Nekrasov, and Denis Uzlov," - the regional education department stated in a message.

On March 2, as noted in the release, the head of the Almaty region education department Saltanat Bespaeva visited the children's home. She inspected the building and spoke with the staff and residents. During the meeting, the staff raised questions related to the relocation and the preservation of jobs.

"We are keeping track of all issues concerning the children's home and its residents. It is important not only to equip the new building with facilities, transportation, and school supplies but also to create comfortable living conditions, ensuring the safety of the children," - emphasized Saltanat Bespaeva.

The department also denied rumors about the sale of the land plot to affiliated individuals, which had been circulating online.

The new complex, according to the education department, is designed for 240 places and will cover an area of 4,000 square meters. Its construction is underway due to the emergency condition of the existing building, which was erected in 1963. The institution will also open a center for the adaptation of minors. The facility is located next to a school for 900 students. A 14-seat bus has already been provided for transporting the residents. The distance to Almaty is 65 km.

In April 2023, we reported that the Almaty children's home, which had a 30-year history, ceased to exist. The children were returned to their families.

It was also reported that residents of Almaty complained about the abandoned building that once housed the children's home. Later, this place became a refuge for marginalized individuals and those who spend their leisure time there.