In 2002, Aleksandr left the orphanage in Kazakhstan he called home to participate in Kidsave’s Summer Miracles program. At 12 years old, he embarked on a summer of discovery, staying with three families—the Jacksons, the Olpins, and the Tayeks—each of whom played a unique role in shaping his story. After getting to know Aleksandr , the Tayek family decided to adopt him, and a year later, he returned to the U.S. with his new family.
Aleksandr's introduction to life in the United States was marked by cultural differences and memorable experiences. He recalls a vivid memory of the finalization of his adoption.
“I remember them coming to Kazakhstan very well because my older brother had two broken arms. He broke his wrist playing baseball, and then a week or two later, he was chasing a puppy and broke his other arm,” Aleksandr shared. “And then there was my younger brother, who is way taller than both of us and has this curly hair. Everyone was standing around together, and it was just very memorable.” That moment in Kazakhstan was just the beginning of Aleksandr’s adventures with his new brothers. From surfing and boogie boarding to playing video games, Aleksandr began building bonds with his new family and adjusting to his new life.
Initially, school was a struggle due to the language barrier, but the Tayek family provided the support Aleksandr needed to catch up academically. Despite the initial challenges, Aleksandr thrived, becoming popular in school and excelling in sports like football and hockey alongside his brothers.
While the Tayek family’s adoption provided Aleksandr with a fresh start in the U.S., their relationship had challenges. By his junior year in high school, Aleksandr made the tough decision to move in with the Olpins, the family who had initially sponsored him during the Summer Miracles program so many years before.
“I stayed close to the Olpins throughout the entire time, from the time I met them at the orphanage,” said Aleksandr. The Olpins were a consistent source of support, fostering a lasting bond that endures to this day.
After high school, Aleksandr earned an associate’s degree and later graduated from California State University with a bachelor’s degree in business with a specialty in accounting. Today, he is pursuing a CPA designation and is focused on becoming a full-time accountant.
“Getting adopted was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he says.
About the Summer Miracles Program
Kidsave’s Summer Miracles program brings older children (ages 10-15) in foster care and orphanages overseas to the U.S. to stay with hosts and connect with potential adoptive families. Today, the Summer Miracles program operates in cooperation with Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) and finds families for children from Colombia, South America.
Learn more about the Summer Miracles program and helping a child from Colombia.
