Barbara Cottage is an assisted living project for young girls who have special needs. The cottage was renovated in 2009 with funds received from Patrick Coleman in Australia. Patrick’s wife, Barbara, spent many years at Raphael working with Leonard Cheshire and Sue Ryder. Barbara came out to work with them in 1961. When she returned to Australia she worked for Ryder-Cheshire Australia for many decades till her death in January 2009.

Barbara had specifically asked that on her death, an amount of her estate should go to Raphael. It was befitting that a memorial be dedicated to Barbara at Raphael, a project that would provide long-term benefits to the residents. That gave birth to Barbara Cottage.

At any one time four girls live in the cottage with a houseparent. They are trained to look after themselves so that they can then go home and be a help to their families. They learn how to bathe and dress themselves, make their beds, wash their clothes and do some cooking. 

The house needed major repair and renovation. Since 2009 no maintenance work had been done as we did not have the funds. The ceiling was in a very bad condition, a part of it having fallen. Dehradun receives very heavy rain during our monsoon season and this had caused the roof to leak.

Thanks to the generous donation from the students of the Ballarat Grammar Junior School we have been able to do major renovations of the building. 

The house is now fully renovated and features a well-finished kitchen and a well equipped  bathroom.  We have repaired and waterproofed the roof, installed new electrical wiring, and  repainted the home. The house is surrounded by a fence and gate and soon there will be beautiful flowers blooming along the fence.

The  four girls who live there – Santoshi, Sonam, Isha and Khushi send their warmest greetings to you and love their new home.

Priyo Lall, CEO Raphael