MESSAGE BOARD FOR OGBs OF DR GRAHAM'S HOMES (DGH)

Dear Grahamites

It is absolutely clear that we all love the school we went to........the feeling, I will take tha liberty to presume, is MUTUAL.

Having said that, there are things that I would like to quote, simple ideas but effective thoughts, that we all need to consider:

1) "What now?" (Tashi H)

2) "even to a young mind like mine " (zigmee wangchuk)
{zigmee, the thought matters more than the age}

3) John,  if you have any serious queries or doubts, I think the best would be to follow the the procedure of addressing them to the Board of Management.

My advice to you is .... take a page from our Homes mentors' book to name a few i.e. Rev. Webster, Aunty Burns, Ms Colquhoun, Mr. Brooks amongst many others, who not only were but still are dedicated ambassadors of our Homes.  Their unconditional love, dedication and service to the Homes, should be an example and learning factor to all us OGBs.

I returned from Sunday service this morning held at our beautiful Katherine Graham Chapel and what a wonderful Palm Sunday Service - a visiting preacher had come and his first remark was of amazement, saying how he had never seen so many children as part of a congregation.  John, let me tell you, God is the center of our Homes and He has carried the school through 108 + years and I am certain there will be many years more.

Take care and God bless.

{Christine, your good intentions are appreciated, but why is our Homes in the state that it is? No one is liable to answer my question, but that doesnt change the situation}

Chitiz

thank you!!

zigmee wangchuk:

with due respect to tashi H:: it is surprising to receive a reply from you in this manner...please be clear on this that "i do not need correction for what i write when iam expressing my views" and yes it is also totally impossible for me to write whats on your mind..like you so called it "punches"..if you have it why dont you quote it??when you can write "what now?"yourself..let us have our space too..




Tashi H wrote:

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Zigmee Wanchuck has not pulled any punches when he lashes out at the Homes Management for its lack of effectiveness. He is acutely aware of the politics that drives the system at every level and its outcome.  That is the easy part. 

What now? Who is going to bell the cat? That is the hard part.

Discussions on forums become manifestations of impotency if not acted upon.

Act now or forever hold your peace.

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zigmee wangchuk:

it is very clear even to a young mind like mine that people who are working at Dr.Grahams Homes(which includes all teaching n non teaching staffs) are no less then a bunch of polticians...just one thing is left for them to do and that is give a name and form a party and start election from next acemedic year....i was a student for several years in dis beautiful and firm instution bt i cannot figure out till date,who actually was the protagonist leading our school...i would like to mention that there should be a single head in the "SCHOOL" to whom all the department heads and "TEACHERS" "ESPECIALLY" should be answerable and also he or she should be answerable only to the board of managment and concerned O.G.B'S and to nobody ELSE ....otherwise these "hungry for status"people will kill each other n also destroy this institution sooner or later....

 

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Dghalumni.com would like to remind those that use and view this message board that the views expressed here are those of individuals and not those of the administration.

The message board is provided so that you may express those views as individuals. This site was created specifically for social interaction between OGBs around the globe.

Some of us prefer to see the world through rose-coloured glasses (nothing wrong with that). Some of us, on the other hand, prefer to view the world through a magnifying glass (that, too, is OK).

Some of you have blamed the site for these topics / divisions.

Something to consider when you struggle with what you read here is this: "Don't shoot the messenger for delivering the message".

All views are encouraged (rose-coloured, magnified, whatever). :)

While on the subject of audits.  What is the current bursar's credentials to being the CFO (Bursar)? For that matter, what are the credentials of people holding offices in DGH, or is it just on the basis of longevity that posts are filled. Grow up Homes, you cannot rest on your past laurels, the 60s and 70s are long gone. 
In the business world (or any professional sports team), when a company is loosing ground, guess who goes out? the CEO and all those that are responsible.  We need new management with progressive ideas about running a class institution. And as materialistic as it sounds, good looking well maintained buildings also puts cheeks on the seats of the classrooms (more admissions).  
If the Homes, want to survive for the next 100 years, well intentioned prayers in the "Beautiful Katherine Graham memorial chapel" alone wont' solve any problems.
When will the school/board members understand that, class institutions survive not because of history alone but because the school listens to the suggestions and works alongside its alumnus organizations.
By the way, isn't having a boarding hostel while being the School bursar a conflict of interest issue. why isn't anyone bringing this up?
Ok Moog-bahadur will shut up.  May be Christine guest(nee Harris) has some more words of reassurance "that all is well on the hill".   Remember if you are not moving forward you are always falling behind, there is no standing still>
Bottom line, you have to run the school using sound business practices.  Unfettered pursuit of excellence producing a product that people will buy should be the the # 1 goal. just like my Econ 101 prof said, without which you might as well shut the doors now and save the money.

June, there were many OGBs who contacted me re the "chaos in the Homes" topic and just like you - they understood the issue better and are going to strive to hold our Homes together, by focusing on prayers, unity and assistance.  Will stay in touch, as some of us have plans and new ideas of helping the school.  God bless.

Hi Christine,
Thanks for putting all our hearts at ease. We live so far away and little rumours snowball into such big things.  John made the whole thing sound like such a huge crisis that it brought us all scuttling to the forum to air our views.. not all positive.
I called up Mr. Brooks immediately to find out if he knew anything and he told me that a mountain was being made of a mole hill.
Anyway like Aunty Burns always used to tell us in cottage.... if God be for us then who can be against us? So if the Homes still holds onto the good values that it had and keeps God in the centre of things then it will go on from strength to strength with the massive support of us OGBs. One thing positive which has come out of this is that it has shown that we are all protective of our alma mater and our ready to pitch in if needed.

PRAYERS, that's what the Homes needs and genuine dedicated ambassadors.  We all have to help the Homes in overcoming and rising above difficult times, but that doesn't call for saying "chaos in the Homes". 

 

Here's some concrete information that I can give you i.e.

Principal, Mr A Sampayo, has resigned(because of family obligations - this is the reason A. Sampayo has announced to one and all) and the Board has appointed Mr Philip Gibson, an eminent psychologist and professional from the UK, as Chief Executive of the Homes.He is to take up his appointment in Kalimpong with effect from 15^th April 2009.The Board has also appointed Mr S L Banerjee, Senior Master, as Headmaster of the Homes with effect from 1^st April 2009.

The Board and the Local Advisory Committee will closely work with the team of the Chief Executive, Bursar and Headmaster to ensure that the Homes operates smoothly and efficiently.Mr Gibson has vast experience in the UK and also has been three months in Kalimpong studying the Homes before he was offered an appointment by the Board of Management.

 

Continue to pray and remember John & all OGBs, united we stand, divided we fall, let's learn from our mentors(mentioned in my earlier message esp. Revd Webster & Aunty Burns) spend less time in idle gossip or speculation, but to strive harder in assisting the Homes to grow from strength to strength.

 

Keep smiling and God bless

Christine

 

 

John,  if you have any serious queries or doubts, I think the best would be to follow the the procedure of addressing them to the Board of Management.

My advice to you is .... take a page from our Homes mentors' book to name a few i.e. Rev. Webster, Aunty Burns, Ms Colquhoun, Mr. Brooks amongst many others, who not only were but still are dedicated ambassadors of our Homes.  Their unconditional love, dedication and service to the Homes, should be an example and learning factor to all us OGBs.

I returned from Sunday service this morning held at our beautiful Katherine Graham Chapel and what a wonderful Palm Sunday Service - a visiting preacher had come and his first remark was of amazement, saying how he had never seen so many children as part of a congregation.  John, let me tell you, God is the center of our Homes and He has carried the school through 108 + years and I am certain there will be many years more.

Take care and God bless.

To Jacqui Hibbert and all OGBs

I, as a member of staff would like to respond to your request i.e....  if any one knows for a fact that staff are resigning on masse.  This is not true and all I can say it is sad that such shallow talk is being circulated without verification.

 

Like a lot of others who have already posted messages,  I am deeply saddened to hear of the situation pervading the Homes at this time.  I was very disappointed when I visited the Homes in 2000 from New Zealand where I live, the run down state of the place even then. 

I am a product of the Homes from the age of one month back in 1946 till I left from Fraser Hostel in 1964 and recall many happy memories and friends.  The school enjoyed a great academic record, sport and healthy living was the order of the day.  The few bullying incidents were treated as a part of growing up.  I recall having several sponsors mainly through the CCF and went on holidays to tea plantations, other cities and exciting places around the district. 

Since leaving the Homes and ultimately moving to New Zealand, I have been proud to in turn, sponsor three children from the Homes one after the other.

I have since been supportive of the NZ Committee and Thuten Kesang who has given so much time and energy to the Homes from NZ.  I have written separately to Thuten to offer support to turn this upseeting situation around.  I always regard the Homes as my 'Home' too.

George A Borthwick

Thanks for your responses so far.

Once again we have people simply assuming that by using their first name everyone will know who they are. This Board is read by (probably) 300 OGBs (just a guesstimate) from the 1940s !!! onwards.

OK, so you are not Madonna or Elvis, right? So, please observe the clear directive at the top of this Board that says to use your full name when posting. :)

Then there is the person/s who use anonymous as a name -  why?

Thirdly, (most important) please stick to the current topic which is related to corruption and lack of maintenance in the Homes. If you have other personal issues you can't get over then feel free to talk amongst yourselves via email. Thankyou. :)

Has anyone had verification of any of these rumours yet?  All I have heard officially is that the principal Mr. Aubrey Sampayo has resigned.  I heard nothing about mass resignations.   Can anyone state that they know for a fact that the staff are resigning on masse??

Dear Melvin,
Thanks for your partcipant and assurance.
Don't get me wrong. I just want to ask all people to FOCUS on the current matters.
Such as corruptions, dirty politics and selfishness among greedy authorities in the Homes
that's deteorating the value of DGH in daily basis.
Love,
JR.

Rhett Jones wrote:

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Melvinn Alexcie Pattern. wrote:

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Rhett.
Thank you for the sharing .
I am going to focus on one topic you wrote ,and that is Sexual Abuse .
I was a victum and now Im a survivor .

This is a public message board and I dont want to get into details ,but write to me and Ill let you know .
But thanks for bringing it in the open ,along time ago i was the guy who was most hated because i came out with the truth and no one liked it ,today whatever i said years ago is coming out in reality .

But lets also think positive and do something for the Homes ,after all even though we didnt get 100% we got this education ,food and basic clothing that has made us what we are today .
cheers
Melvinn pattern

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Sadly the victims are the youngest kids, the ones who have barely any friends. I can name atleast one person responsible who is still around, but of course I'm not going to reveal names on this public forum.

 

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John,

What exactly happened? Do you know the details?

Thanks

Tsering

Hi Kunzang,

"it is very sad to hear that sponsored children do not get what is meant for them but are compelled to write Thank you notes - this is too hard to believe" is true, shocking isn't it, this isn't something that is just taking place. i was a sponsored kid back in school and to day that i got nothing would be very ungarteful on my part, I was well taken care off right from clothing, education to pocket money so i wish to express my heartfet gratitude to each and every individual who go thru such hard times just so that someone in another part of the world could have a better life however there are dome who don't think the same way, as sponsored kids we often wrote letters that were mostly dictated to us............... so one can well imagine the context of the letter. it's hard growing up as sponsored kids in homes each moment we were made to realize the obligation and made to feel it. no matter how hard we try there is nothing much we can do about it................ i mean these guys will still be made to write thank you notes for what they have never recieved. i appreciate the concern though and if there is anything that we can do just let us know after all we definetily understand what those kids are going thru. We walked the same road once

I am shocked to read what JR has written, is there any chance that Kalimpong OGB's
shed some light on this current situation in the Homes. 

OGB's all around the world have GREAT love for the HOMES but we can do very little
from far away. It would be great if the Kalimpong OGB's Association can up date us the true nature of the Homes situation and suggest how best we can help. Lets not dwell in the past, let look how we can make the Homes better for the future 100years.

Tashi Delek to all OGB's all around the world

Thuten Kesang

corruption in the homes has always existed. it was just as students we hardly realized it, till we stepped out. allegedly members of a certain family living on the campus for years have been involved in land grabbing, dadagiri, influencing locals, etc... and this is the buzz that i heard as a student since 89-90. during 88/89 (if there are any batchmates, pls see if i am correct) there was an uprising against the head-master when the school was plastered overnite with hand-made posters by people... we as students were shocked to see the school office covered in posters and people asking for headu to resign... does anyone else remember this or is it my sense of imagination? sponsored kids did get the goodies when it was being run by mrs. glashan. i remember mates of mine receiving books and watches for christmas. post the gnlf agitation in 88-89 dgh took a huge beating as infiltration was the key problem which led to land-grabbing, illegal hutments and settlements sprouting up everywhere based on just pure local strength. no one did anything then, and i guess the situation has got worse. letters sent to us were always read by the house-parents before they were handed over to us... which was a strange practise i thought then (being taught at the same time that "reading other people's letters is rude" ) but we werent forced to write that all was well and happy - tho our sunday inland letters that we wrote were checked again by the house parents - i think it was for spelling mistakes as well... when i visited the homes in the centennary i spoke to students there discreetly and asked them the situation - because everything seemed in shambles and ruin. they said that there indeed was corruption, they got poor food. And if i remember correctly we did have a heated argument in the Jarvie Hall regarding the state of the affairs, when OGBs demanded transparency. As is done in the corporate world, far removed from the idyllic world of dgh, auditors and audit companies step in and see that there is transparency and the funds money etc are being used correctly. I think one of the solutions is to get an Audit Team into the Homes - then corruption can be stemmed slowly but surely. the political scene is another hinderance, but homes has survived it many times - and if we step in now we can save our Homes - JR, please let me know what should the agenda be from hereon. I am still shocked at the events that have unfolded today. Do you know what the reason or trigger-event is, behind this sudden flash-decision for all to revolt simultaneously?

Dear Rhett,

Thanks for the early response. Its true if sponsors know the situations they may have to think twice and i didnt like the idea how they dictate/censor the letter to child. I hope they will improve this habit.

Hi Rose Pandey,
I have heard ample of stories from students, OGBs and staffs but no hardcore evidence.
Therefore, i urge all those staffs and students those who experienced / witnessed the hostile and corruption act in the Homes to come forward here and let us know without any fear. I believe the changes can be done once the world knows the culprits and the necessary authorities such as boards and oversea committees take an strict action! 

Rgds.,
John

 

John,

Thank you for informing us, and it is very sad to hear the state of affairs of our beloved school. Just a few questions though...

1.Why is there such a vociferous outbreak, was there any specific event that triggered this?

2. What is it that we can do to change this?

3. It so easy to start the blame thing...but we need to help the situation get better....

Can you elaborate on the social malpractices and and corruption issues...from so far away is hard to know and say who is the person responsible and what action can be taken and for what we can petetion.
There is politics everywhere...we have to prolly discuss what the actual deal is before we come to any conclusions. Any update on that? Like what actually started all this and what do the teachers and staff want?