Sarah Chester, from the UK, started supporting Samantha at the Homes in the early 2000s. In 2018, they were even able to meet in Kalimpong.
Sarah writes: “My parents lived in India from 1918-44. They returned to the UK after my sister, Bridget, contracted polio in Kalimpong, aged two. When Bridget died in 2002, my mother, then a widow, sponsored a child in my sister’s memory. Since then, my whole family has enjoyed their association with Dr Graham’s Homes, receiving regular news, letters and reports. The highlight for me was travelling with my husband to Kalimpong in 2019 and meeting Samantha, who the family continues to support and keep in contact with her during her tertiary education. Samantha is an enchanting young person who we feel sure will have a good future in life. She is certainly a credit to the school and someone whom we treasure.”
Since leaving the Homes, Samantha is now continuing her education at Loreto College in Kolkata.
Samantha writes: “Grateful for everything that you all have done. I feel so privileged and humbled to have received this sponsorship. In my educational journey, Sarah and her mother have been a significant help to me. My journey from school to college is one that I will never forget because of all the love and support I’ve received every step of the way. In addition to supporting me since I joined Dr Graham’s Homes, she has now been supporting me as I enter college. Currently, I am in my second year and am doing much better than I anticipated thanks to the support I have received. The support has been invaluable to me, and I am most grateful for the letters, parcels, and meetings, as well as updates on how they are doing. My deepest gratitude is sent out to her for all that she has done for me from nursery to second year college. Because of all the support and guidance she has provided, I know I can and will succeed because of their blessings and prayers. Everything is truly a blessing to me, and I am grateful for everything.”
Cynderella was just a few years old when she arrived at the Homes. Twenty years on, she has moved to Kolkata to continue her studies, thanks to the Extended Sponsorship scheme.
