A Fake Camp, a Real Problem: How a Disinformation Attack Hit Orda.kz and Exposed a Systemic Failure

The morning at Orda.kz began with a line outside our editorial office. One by one, people arrived: women with children, teenagers, grandmothers, and even fathers. They had all come hoping to get their children into a “free camp” advertised on a popular Almaty page.

The message claimed that on June 12 at 10:00 AM, children would be accepted into a summer camp under a certain program — no registration, no paperwork required — “just bring your child.”

The post quickly went viral through messengers, parent chats, and social media.

But there was no camp.

I saw the ad last night and sent it to all my friends. Why shouldn’t the kids have a break? Especially since it said ‘with support from the city Akimat,’said one woman in line. 

We just want the Akimat to take control of such ads in various public groups. After all, it’s damage to their reputationanother frustrated mother added. 

Many had come from the farthest corners of Almaty. 

From the conversations, it was clear that most of the families who showed up were middle- or low-income. Some parents are juggling two jobs and can’t take time off. Others are single parents or facing layoffs. But they all share the same problem: what to do with their kids during summer when they can’t afford a vacation?

That fee includes food, activities, and maybe a few field trips. It all sounds great. But even 100,000 tenge is beyond reach for many families, especially those with more than one child.

There are public camps, but places are extremely limited. That means many kids are left at home, watching TV or, in worse cases, roaming the streets, exposed to all kinds of risks.

But when a child spends the summer locked between a TV and a smartphone, it’s a lost opportunity for them and for society. 

In such circumstances, the state must step in. Right now, “affordable summer” programs exist mostly on paper. Akimats report on “coverage,” but in reality, these often mean short-term school clubs or large-scale events that check boxes without offering real value. There is no systematic, guaranteed support.

Frustrated and angry, many of the parents, including elderly grandmothers and pregnant women, called the police and filed a formal complaint with the district police department.

Original Author: Kumysay Sarbasova