Many of you will have been greatly shocked by the recent news coverage of the Nepal-Tibet flash flood and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. We wish to reassure Supporters of Albella Boys Home that the Home is a considerable distance away from that specific region of Nepal.
Summer 2026 news
News from a Sponsor
‘My dear sponsor…’
So begins every Christmas letter I have received from Albella, every year since I was around 11 or 12 years old. My family began sponsoring a boy at Albella at that time and my brother and I looked forward to receiving his letters. Through those letters, we watched him grow up alongside us, the thousands of miles between us seemingly reduced by this exchange of letters. We saw develop from an anxious young boy, into a confident young man who was applying for a technical apprenticeship.
Since then, we have sponsored other boys – shy boys, sporty boys, academic boys, boys with a cheeky sense of humour. Receiving their Christmas letter and photograph continues to be a source of joy for me. Watching them grow in confidence and knowledge, reading about their hopes and triumphs continues to make the world feel both smaller and brighter. I confess I am always a little bit sad when they grow up and leave, as that is the point when our contact ends. Sometimes their final letter provides a clue as to their future: college, an apprenticeship, finding employment in their local area. Although I mostly don’t hear what happens next, I am pleased to have had a positive impact, however small, on their formative years and am grateful for the positive impact they have had upon me.
If you are considering sponsoring a child at Albella, my advice is to go for it. You will be making a difference to that child’s life, ensuring they have food, shelter and access to a good education. The perhaps less-expected benefit is the sense of connection and the opportunity to watch, in real time, that child discover and embrace the opportunities that Albella offers.
Trip to Kalimpong
Our trip to Albella Boys home Kalimpong 7-13 April 2025
We had to fly from Heathrow to Delhi then Delhi to Bagdogra and then have a 5 hour taxi drive to Kalimpong.
The Chair of the Friends of Albella always says to supporters
« There is the India we hear about in the news ie fast growing major economy, hub for IT services, space explorers and then there is the part we visit i.e. East Indian hill town of Kalimpong in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal which is the location of Albella boys home. »
Even though this was my third trip to Albella boys home in recent years I was shocked yet again on arrival in Kalimpong by the poor state of the roads and obvious signs of poverty.
As a family we were visiting the school for a week (entirely at our own expense) to confirm money was being spent as expected (as a UK charity), to participate in activities and to get to know the Staff and children. We stayed in their visitor accommodation and paid for our own cook.
When we woke up each morning to hear the joyful singing of the younger children who live in Bon Ami it seemed well worth the long trip to get there. The children are so happy to be there and are very caring towards each other.
We were highly impressed with the running of the school and delighted that they have a 5 year licence again. We came home energised and inspired by what we saw in terms of the apparent love the children experience every day. This trip I also particularly enjoyed meeting some of the girls who are supported by Albella.
We felt privileged to see the progress since our last trip in terms of succession planning and new ideas. We felt honoured to represent the UK sponsors who make all this possible.
