Help us complete the children's home in Darjeeling

In Darjeeling, as in most places across the globe, food is the way to the heart. With this in mind, it was essential to ensure that the children at KBM Children’s Home had access to the best kitchen facilities we could provide. The installation of the kitchen also marks the last major component of the 12-year construction project of the KBM Children’s Home. 

Over the last few months, we have:

• Installed gas pipes, electric wiring and ample storage to streamline the process of food preparation and cleanup.
• Created a designated area for washing dishes and utensils so that the kitchen team can ensure high levels of hygiene and sanitation standards for the children.
• Added a large window overlooking the dining room which means that the children and the staff can interact and create community together. 

The cooking team at KBM Children’s Home, Samuel and Sanju, have happily reported that the new kitchen is a very comfortable space to work in. The supervisors, Jigten and Sangham, have involved the children and young people in food preparation so the older children help serve the younger children at meal times. Kitchens, though sometimes overlooked, are the cornerstone of many of our homes - and that is now no different at KBM Children’s Home. 

Safe and Secure

The safety and well-being of the children continue to be critical as we near the completion of our construction. We have added:

• An outside fence and railings to ensure that the children are safe and secure when walking up and down the stairs in the building. 

• Security railings on the activity room windows to ensure that the children and young people can continue benefiting from the new computers and facilities installed. 

Online Event

We were thrilled to welcome supporters, like you, from across the globe to join us for our second online event, held on February 25th 2024, to celebrate the near completion of this ambitious construction project. 

The event gave valuable insights into the diverse ways we support children across project areas - some inside the home and others in the Darjeeling community. Our trustee, Tshering (who grew up in Darjeeling herself) hosted a gathering of friends at her home to view the event on a large screen, while many others connected online to embark on a journey across continents with live links to presenters in the UK, France, Switzerland and India spanning Delhi and Darjeeling. 

Ardent supporters Mike and Tom captivated viewers with images from their fundraising adventures. Mike shared his expedition on a Tuk Tuk from Jaisalmer in the desert of Rajasthan over to the mountains of Kashmir, while Tom recounted his epic four-and-a-half-month road trip from London to Singapore. 

The pinnacle of the event was the presentation by Marilyn and the team engaged in the children’s home construction project. Project architect, Raghavan, contributed to the captivating discussion from his home in Delhi. The event concluded with a short yet powerful film produced by Aashwin, our project lead in Darjeeling. 

You can catch up with the event recording to hear about how your generous support of this project has allowed children in Darjeeling to create a safe, fun and nurturing community in the hills.

Links:

• Watch our online event to mark the completion of the home here.

Temperatures are falling as Darjeeling heads towards winter, but the colder days bring with them an added bonus in the form of clear blue skies and incredible views from the town across the Himalayas to Mount Kanchenjunga.

The last few months have been busy at the Children's Home, with many positive structural changes happening:

• The outer wall, staff residence quarters and office are now complete, marking a crucial milestone in providing a secure and functional space for the children and staff.
• Work is underway on the storage room, and flooring has been successfully installed in the dining room. Meanwhile, the kitchen is being equipped to enhance its functionality.
• Following recommendations from the Home's supervisors, funding from DCT has facilitated several improvements to the existing living areas. These include the replacement of railings along an external staircase, window repairs, and the installation of new pipework and toilets in the children's bathrooms.
• The most striking difference has been the external paint applied to the newest parts of the building, which now matches the warm yellow-orange glow of the rest of the site to create a cohesive and vibrant appearance.
  
  

Generous Donations:

In October, the children received a generous gift of new bed sheets from the family of Ashwin Singal, who made this thoughtful donation in memory of their mother.

Support from New Trustees:

Three new trustees—Matthew, Matt, and Jen—not only visited the Home for the first time, but also brought along generous donations from supporters for essential items like new mirrors, clocks, and washing lines. These contributions undoubtedly enhance the daily lives of the children.

London to Singapore Expedition:

In October, the Children's Home also had the pleasure of hosting Tom Waring and his team who are driving Land Rovers from London to Singapore to raise money for charities who operate along their route, including DCT. The team enjoyed a wonderful song and dance performance by the children and was deeply impressed both by the construction project and meeting with the children. Currently in Nepal, you can follow their fascinating progress on YouTube or Instagram.

These recent developments highlight the collaborative efforts and support from various quarters, making a positive impact on the lives of the children at the Darjeeling Children's Home. The community's involvement, coupled with ongoing initiatives, paints a promising picture for the Home's future. Stay tuned for more updates as the journey continues.