The History of Dr Graham and the Homes
(extracted from Graham of Kalimpong, JR Minto, 1974)
Nestling in a 500 acre estate in the side of the thickly wooded Deolo hill at an elevation of 4,600 ft. and overlooking the town of Kalimpong to the south, is the picturesque setting of Dr. Graham's Homes School. To the north, lie the majestic Himalayas dominated by the eternally snow-clad peak of Kanchenjunga (28,185 ft.) a mere 60 km distant, and the borders of Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet.
In 1900, this now, beautiful estate was little more than a barren hill side. The Founder, the Rev. Dr. John Anderson Graham felt the need for providing care and training for destitute Eurasian and Anglo-Indian children, who under the appalling circumstances prevailing at the time, appeared doomed to a most miserable existence, with no hope for the future. It was with this thought in mind and the vision and enthusiasm of a born pioneer, that Graham of Kalimpong took into his care six small children. These were housed in a rented building," Kierander ", some distance from the present site; the date September 24th, 1900 - a day that has meant almost everything to some 8,000 children who have passed through these Homes in the 108 years of its existence.
It was from this humble beginning that Dr. Graham embarked on the project of constructing and developing the institution we now know as Dr. Graham's Homes - so renamed in memory of our Founder who died on May 15th, 1942.
In those early days few could have believed that the next two decades would see such incredible expansion - the growth of cottages housing 800 children, a school, a farmstead, a workshop and playing fields. But the closing months of 1900 were difficult times. Money was desperately needed, and a further 20 children were expected in the new year. Appeals, though widely advertised, yielded a total sum of Rs. 4373-9 annas at the close of the financial year. However, supported and encouraged by Sir John Woodburn, Late Governor of Bengal, and the Hon'ble J.A. Bourdillon, the first President of the Homes, Dr. Graham ordered work to commence on the first cottage-appropriately named "Woodburn Cottage". The foundation stone was laid by the President on the 8th November, 1900, the building fund at this time stood at Rs. 1.257-3 annas.
From this simple though positive start, Dr. Graham and the Board of Management launched on a campaign of publicity and appeal. Although a Scottish Committee had been formed, it was felt that Local Committees in India would aid the considerable task of raising fund. Consequently in December 1901, committees were formed in Kanpur and Allahabad. Though these are now defunct, committees founded mainly through the efforts of ex-students & staff now function in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada & Japan.
