When a vulnerable child arrives at Dr Graham’s Homes for the first time, they don’t just find themselves in a big, anonymous boarding house. They join one of the family-style cottages that are sprinkled across the campus.
It’s all part of the unique “Cottage System” that was set up by Dr Graham himself more than 100 years ago. His aim was to provide the children with a sense of love and belonging – an experience of family life that many had never truly experienced before.
Our Minutes Secretary, Rev Caroline Taylor, recently travelled out to the Homes to meet the young person she sponsors for the first time (you can read Part 1 of her DGH Diary here). Visiting the Cottages (and experiencing the hotly-contested Inter-Cottage competitions!) was one of the highlights of her trip…
Caroline visited the child she sponsors at DGH in September
Since becoming involved with Dr Graham’s Homes, I’ve seen a good few photos and videos taken by various other supporters. If I had to picture just one thing in my mind’s eye, it would be a Cottage. With their red roofs and cream walls they form an attractive picture.
A true “home-from-home”
More importantly, the Cottages are HOME to the children and young people who board. Whether or not they are sponsored, they are living day to day away from their families and a place they can call home during term time is essential. Here is more than a bed to sleep in. It’s a place to study, to hang out with friends, and to learn (perhaps without realising it at the time) valuable life lessons such as how to compromise and get along with individuals whose background, experience, abilities, age and personality are different from yours.
The school was to be no Victorian orphanage – austere, forbidding and loveless. His children’s village of the Himalayas was to be a place of sunshine, flowers, fresh hill air and, above all, a place where the children could find themselves.Graham of Kalimpong by James Minto
A warm welcome behind every door
So I couldn’t wait to visit a few of the Cottages for myself! Impressions? Well, they might look similar from a distance but each is unique – thanks to the Auntie (girls’ Cottages) and Uncle and Auntie (boys’ Cottages), the senior students who also have a leadership role and not forgetting the younger pupils who play their part too.
Cottage pride – and competition!
Each Cottage is identified by a colour, evident in parts of the school uniform (e.g. green for Thorburn), and the pupils’ loyalty to their particular Cottage became abundantly clear at the swimming gala and singing competition which were held as part of the Birthday Celebrations in September. The cheering was loud and long! And quite right too! It was a joy to be a spectator at these events. Not every Cottage had a win but it certainly looked to me as if every pupil taking part was giving of their best – bringing to life the Homes’ motto – “THOROUGH”.
As for me, I had a THOROUGH-ly* enriching experience visiting each Cottage and meeting some of those who call it HOME.
At the heart was the family. Dr Graham recreated a family unit to fill this vacuum in the lives of the children.Sir Cliff Richard, narrating The Lollipop Tree documentary
Learn more about how the Homes cares for sponsored children
- Step inside the Homes
- What is the Cottage System at Dr Graham’s Homes?
- Who are the Aunties and Uncles?
How you can help the cause!
💡 With a DGHUK sponsorship, you can transform the life of a vulnerable child by supporting their accommodation and education at Dr Graham's Homes. Find out how to start a sponsorship today – or send us a message with your thoughts and questions. We'll be delighted to help!
