Remembering Theodora BakerFamily and friends will be holding a thanksgiving service for Theo, a much-loved former staff member at the Homes, on 17 OctoberIf you’re a sponsored pupil, saying goodbye to Dr Graham’s Homes when you graduate isn’t easy.
You may have arrived at the Homes at a very young age (many sponsored pupils are just a few years old when they join). You’ve grown up on the campus. You’ve lived, studied and made life-long friends there. As a sponsored pupil, it’s likely you had a very difficult start in life too, with little to no support from your family.
Now you’ve reached Class 12 (equivalent to Upper Sixth in the UK) and you’re about to step into the world beyond school. You’re feeling nervous, daunted and maybe a little lost. What next?
A helping hand for leavers
That’s where Nannette Gomez comes in.
Earlier this year, Nannette joined the DGH family as our new Student Welfare Officer. Based in Kolkata, her role is to provide 360-degree pastoral, academic and financial oversight for pupils who are going on to further education in the city or in India. In essence, she’s there to help our young people bridge the gap between school and college so they have the best possible chance of flourishing in their future careers.
Some of our sponsored students
Nannette, it’s great to meet you! Student Welfare Officer is a very important role. Can you tell us more about it?
Absolutely. My job is to help our sponsored graduates navigate university and adult life here in Kolkata. We currently have 32 college-going students in the system. Around 10 of those will graduate in June 2027. And so, my role is to help them find structure and accountability so they can thrive in their studies. I monitor their academic progress, keep in touch with them and provide guidance. I also look after the financial admin, making sure they can access the support they need for their tuition fees, accommodation, food, travel, and pocket money.
Do you stay in touch with them as they settle in?
Yes, that’s also part of the job. I keep in touch with each student through one-to-one catch-ups, as well as regular WhatsApp and email messages. I’m here to provide guidance when they face personal struggles or challenges with their courses. It’s really about giving them accountability and a listening ear, and helping them to build their sense of responsibility and independence.
Did you know about Dr Graham’s Homes before you took the role?
Yes – I actually grew up at the Homes! I first arrived at DGH in February 1965, along with my little sister. She was just four months old and I was a year and eight months. And we ended up living and studying at the Homes until we reached Class 10 (equivalent to Year 11 in the UK). So that’s where my deep connection with Dr Graham’s Homes began.
Were you a sponsored child at DGH then?
I was. I come from Kolkata originally. There were six children in our family and at that time life was becoming a struggle for my parents. Thanks to two of my sponsors, my sister and I were given the opportunity to become boarding pupils at Dr Graham’s Homes, initially in the Lucia King Nursery. I was in “Pink” family – which is probably why my favourite colour is still pink today!
Was it hard to leave home at such a young age?
For me and my sister, we had no idea we were leaving home. However, yes, it was certainly a tough decision for my parents to make that painful decision to part with us as my mother was still nursing her 4 month younger daughter. In those early years parents who sent their children to DGH at that tender age had to sign a bond that they would not withdraw your children from DGH till they reached the age of 5 (as told to me by my parents). They couldn’t afford to travel up to Kalimpong to visit us, so it was four or five years before we got to see them again. So sponsorship was a great opportunity for our family, but a painful decision for my parents too. But they felt it was the best option for us and our education at that given time. A decision we remain eternally grateful to our parents.
The "Pink" nursery, where Nannette started out at Dr Graham's Homes
What was it like to leave the Homes when you finally graduated?
It was tough! My last day at school, immediately following our final ICSE examinations in December 1980, was, and still remains, the saddest day of my life. In those days, once you left school, you didn’t receive any further support. I didn’t even know there was a Welfare Officer one could approach.
I was fortunate because I managed to enrol in a Pitman’s Secretarial Course at Dunford Commercial School in Kolkata, one of the best-known commercial schools in the city, run by Ms Dunford, an English lady. As I was still underage, securing permanent employment was challenging. Ms Dunford arranged internships for us in the corporate sector to fill vacancies arising from maternity leave, giving me valuable experience at Dunlop India, ITC, Siemens and Tata Iron & Steel.
My first permanent job was at Orr Dignam & Co., a law firm, followed Modi Xerox and then the big break came when I joined the British Council, where I served for 14 years. I then joined Catholic Relief Services, an American-based development organisation in Kolkata, where I worked for 19 years. Between 2015 and 2019, I travelled on short-term emergency response assignments to within India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Greece and Africa.
The COVID-19 lockdown brought my international travel assignments to a halt. I subsequently joined Calcutta International School as Executive Assistant to the CEO, where I managed a broad range of administrative and executive support responsibilities. My role also involved coordinating Board meetings, AGMs and EGMs in close liaison with Board members and the Management, as well as supporting the school’s legal affairs and regulatory compliance. I served as Executive Assistant to the CEO for two years and was subsequently granted a three-year extension following my retirement. At the end of this period, Calcutta International School offered me a further five-year extension. However, after careful thought and prayer, I felt it was time to move on and embrace a new chapter in my life by taking up the position of Student Welfare Officer at Dr Graham’s Homes. It was a considered and heartfelt decision, one that brought me back to the institution that had played such a significant role in shaping my life.
But I still remember what it feels like to be starting out and finding your feet in the world of work. It is certainly a challenging market for our young people today, and I hope that my own journey will help me guide and encourage them as they take their first steps towards building their futures.
What kinds of issues do the sponsored pupils face today?
Most of our students are from Kolkata, but even so, it is still a big step moving on to college after leaving DGH. One of the first challenges they face is navigating the various administrative processes. They need to obtain documents such as their Aadhaar card, open a bank account, understand how to apply online for college admissions and decide which courses are best suited to their interests and future aspirations.
In India, obtaining government-related documents can be a painstakingly long process. We help our students navigate these procedures and understand the requirements at each stage. Having the correct documentation is essential, as without it, securing college admission and accessing the support they need can become a real challenge.
What kinds of courses are they doing?
Many of our students are pursuing Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in English or Political Science. Others are studying IT or pursuing courses in the hospitality industry, while a few have chosen Law. Their aspirations are varied, with some hoping to become lawyers, teachers, professors or academics.
In January, we also plan to invite one of the Global Association members to speak to the batch graduating in June–July 2027 about career choices and opportunities. I think this will be a very useful session, giving them greater insight into the options available and helping them make informed decisions as they plan their next steps.
Do you get the sense that further education is becoming more important now?
Yes, definitely. In the early 1980s, securing a job was relatively easier, as employers placed greater emphasis on practical skills and aptitude. Even with a Class 10 certificate (equivalent to the UK’s GCSE/O-Level qualification), one could secure employment by demonstrating the required skill set and proving oneself at the job interview.
Nowadays, the minimum qualification for many graduate jobs is a Bachelor's degree. So, we have been emphasising to the children that it’s good to have a degree if you want to do better in life. The opportunity is here, and a financial support system, but they need to work hard and grasp it.
What are you enjoying most about the new role?
It has to be the mentoring aspect – especially supporting and guiding students from less privileged backgrounds, helping them recognise their potential, build confidence and work towards a brighter future. Having been a pupil at Dr Graham’s Homes myself, I’m able to use my own life experience to help the students here in Kolkata. When I speak to the children one-on-one and hear their stories, it’s actually quite emotional for me. Maybe it’s my age, or having that deep connection with the Homes, but it means a lot that I can help them.
What have you been most encouraged by?
It’s brilliant to see students flourishing. I was just going through their recent results, and some of them are doing excellently well, producing As and A pluses. It’s also encouraging to see them seek me out and know I’ll listen to them. That has been wonderful. I don’t want to be that strict “auntie” who they’re afraid of! I want to be that positive, approachable figure for them. Having that level of comfort with someone is very important for the children, and I think over the last 3 months students have been able to open up to me.
Looking to the future, what’s the biggest challenge as you see it?
We would love to be able to support more students with sponsorships. There are so many deserving young people, but not enough funds to help them. We are looking into approaching businesses in India but we definitely need support from others too. We are extremely grateful to DGHUK and other friends of Dr. Graham's Homes, because without that support, I don't think we would have been able to continue.
"The difference between a child who has and has not is opportunity!"
See how Esther is supporting Chitra through her college studies
Are you hoping former students might like to get involved too?
Absolutely. Over the years, many OGBs, particularly those who settled in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and other countries, have sponsored children at DGH as a way of giving back to the Homes. However, the number of sponsors from the older generation has gradually dwindled. I have been explaining to both students and fellow OGBs the importance of continuing this tradition. Dr Graham’s vision was that, in time, OGBs would give back to the Homes and pay it forward, ensuring that the sponsorship programme could remain sustainable for future generations.
As someone who grew up at DGH, what do you think is so special about it?
It’s such a unique school – a home built for the most vulnerable and deserving children in society. Growing up there was like being part of one huge family. We grew up in unity, irrespective of caste, religion or background. That bond continues to bind us together, even after 50 years. Over the years, I have returned to DGH quite often because it is my happy place. No matter how many times I make the journey, travelling up through the hills to Kalimpong always stirs deep emotions and brings back precious memories.
⭐ How you can help ⭐
Supporting a student after they leave Dr Graham’s Homes is one of the most powerful things we can do to help them thrive in their lives beyond DGH. That’s why the Extended Sponsorship programme is so vital. For many pupils, it has been a lifeline as they leave the Homes - the support network they have lacked in their home and family lives.
If you’d be interested in starting a student sponsorship and helping to transform a young life in this way, we’d love to hear from you. You can find out more about Extended Sponsorship in the Get Involved section of our website. Or you can contact us directly to discuss the possibilities. Thank you for your amazing support 🙏
Remembering Theodora BakerFamily and friends will be holding a thanksgiving service for Theo, a much-loved former staff member at the Homes, on 17 October
