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Update of the Recovery Plan .... December, 2011.

The school closed for the winter holidays early December and boarding students have vacated the campus and returned to their homes. During this period, recovery work will be ongoing into bringing the damaged cottages and classrooms back on stream before the start of the 2012 Academic Year on 13th February 2012. All of the children must be accommodated and taught once again in as close to normal an environment as possible that reflects the standing and standard of our Homes.

A brief summary of work in progress: the old Central Kitchen has been converted for use as dormitory accommodation (upstairs) and classrooms; repair work on Wilingdon and Elliott and Woodburn Cottages has been completed whilst work on Grant Cottage is ongoing. Detailed plans and work programmes for the more severely damaged buildings are being drawn up; however, this Phase 3 of the recovery plan will require substantial funds & resources and the BOM are working closely with Insurance Companies, appropriate Govt. & Regional agencies and the local community to enable its implementation.

The UK Committee have set a goal of £70,000 to help with the DGH Earthquake Appeal launched by the Chairman of the Board of Management (BOM) for Dr Graham's Homes, Kolkata. Excluding gift aid, the UK committee are pleased to advise that some £39,000 (excluding gift-aid) has already been raised and extend their warmest thanks to all who have so generously contributed.

Within the UK, all donations towards the Appeal should be sent to either:

James MacHardy, Earthquake Appeal Manager: “Roseisle”, Sawbridgeworth Road, Bishop’s Stortford. CM22 7DR, or,

Anne Hoggan, Earthquake Appeal Secretary: 7 Robertson Road, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5YR.

Cheques should be made payable to "Dr Graham’s Homes Earthquake Appeal". All funds received in the UK will be transferred progressively to a dedicated account established in Kolkata by the BOM.

If you are a UK tax payer please download and complete a copy of the Gift Aid declaration form and return it with your payment to one of the above addressees. This allows us to claim tax back from the government and increases the value of your donation by 25%. Click for the Gift Aid Form.

If you wish to donate using a bank debit / credit card, please click Here to donate to the Appeal Account.

DGH Earthquake Appeal and plans for recovery .... October, 2011

On Sunday 19th September, an earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the richter scale, hit the NE region of India, Nepal & Bhutan. The epicentre was in Mangam, Sikkim, less than 100 miles from Dr. Graham's Homes (Homes) and Kalimpong. Whilst there were some 90+ fatalities in the stricken area, there were no injuries to the children, staff and estate workers of the Homes. However, as the school is situated on a steep ridge, the tremors were most felt in the Homes compound causing substantial structural damage to the buildings and cottages.

Helping Plastering
Students and Army personnel working together
Renovating work has begun

Foillowing assesment of the damage, an immediate recovery plan was implemented by the School Board of Management (BOM) under the leadership of its Chairman, Lt. Gen. (retd.) Johnny Mukherjee. The priority of the BOM was the safety and well being of the children and staff, and to get the school functioning and children back to their classrooms as soon as possible.

RECOVERY PROGRAMME:

DGHA detailed First-Stage Damage and Risk assessment was carried out on Monday 19th September whilst the children were given the day off to settle down and acclimatise to the new situation. It was clear that at least five cottages had suffered severe damage possibly even as much as might warrant demolition; another five had suffered major structural disturbance and the remainder damage that might well be able to be repaired such that these could probably be brought back into service relatively quickly. Classroom accommodation was badly compromised so the decision was taken to send home that week all pupils up to Class 8 whilst the Senior School resumed classes on Tuesday as normal until the start of Puja. Full schooling would resume immediately after that holiday, on 11th October.

SUMMARY OF RECOVERY PLAN. A 3-Phase Programme has been implemented:

Phase 1 to 10th October: Provide temporary Cottage and Classrooms for the whole school.

Phase 2 to mid-February 2012: Full Reconstruction for interim housing of the whole School.

Phase 3 to Dec. 2012: Reconstruction to a final standard that reflects the status of The Homes.

Phases 2 and 3 will provide accommodation to full and final specification; Phase 1 includes many interim repairs so will be revisited in the course of the subsequent Phases.

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT and UK COMMITTEE APPEAL

The Dr Graham's Homes Board Chairman, Lt. Gen. Mukherjee, has launched an Earthquake Relief Appeal to raise the funds that will be needed to top up the inevitable shortfall that will occur after Insurances,  Government and Municipal support is awarded. Further information and Gen. Mukherjee’s Appeal Letter is to be found on The Homes  web-site: www.drgrahamshomes.net

Within the UK, all donations towards the Appeal should be sent to either:

James MacHardy, Appeal Convener: “Roseisle”, Sawbridgeworth Road, Bishop’s Stortford. CM22 7DR, or,

Anne Hoggan, Earthquake Appeal Secretary: 7 Robertson Road, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5YR.

PlasterCheques should be made payable to "Dr Graham’s Homes Earthquake Appeal". All funds received in the UK will be transferred progressively to a dedicated account established in Kolkata by the BOM.

If you are a UK tax payer please download and complete a copy of the Gift Aid declaration form and return it with your payment to one of the above addressees. This allows us to claim tax back from the government and increases the value of your donation by 25%. Click for the Gift Aid Form.

If you wish to donate using a bank debit / credit card, please click Here to donate to the Appeal Account.

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UK Committee Dr. Graham's Homes, Kalimpong(c) 2011 - all rights reserved.