About Bhola Garden (the home and school)
Bhola Garden is situated on a main road on the edge of the town of Bhola in the north of the island.
It comprises two buildings in a compound. Currently there is accommodation for 15 children and another 20 attend on a daily basis.
The buildings and compound wall were in very poor condition when acquired but a substantial programme of external and internal renovation funded by Bhola’s Children was completed in 2007. Fortunately, Cyclone Sidr in October 2007 caused only minor damage which was quickly repaired. In 2008 work started on a third building which will greatly expand the accommodation and the other facilities. [see Future Plans]
The school facilities include a workshop, sewing machines and a vegatable garden. These are used for teaching the children skills they can use to make a living outside the home. The recent purchases of a minibus and a boat have expanded the activities which can be organised.
Ali has an arrangement with a surgeon at the Hospital in Dhaka, who is expert at operations on clefts. As and when the surgeon can fit them into his schedule children are taken over on the ferryboat with their parents for their operations.