In 1887, the Young Men’s Guild decided to send a missionary of its own to a foreign land, and Graham was sent to work in Kalimpong, which was at that time, part of the Darjeeling Mission of North East India. Graham was ordained in 1889, and two days later, married Katherine McConachie, to whom he had been engaged for two years. Reverend Graham and his wife set sail for Calcutta on 21st March, 1889. For two years, Graham worked to build a new Church in Kalimpong. He also established the Kalimpong Mela – an agricultural exhibition for local farmers – as well as a silk committee to encourage the industrious locals. He also helped them establish a cooperative credit society.

There was one particular group in the Darjeeling area whose plight affected Reverend Graham more than anyone else. During his visits to the tea gardens of the Dooars in Darjeeling, he noticed groups of children who suffered deprivation and hardship. Most of them were the illegitimate sons and daughters of British tea planters and local Nepalese, Lepcha and Assamese mothers. Such liaisons were common in those days, but as the young tea planters rose to management positions, and European brides arrived in the gardens, the ’kanchis’ and their children were, more often than not, discarded to no man’s land. His heart was filled with a desire to find a solution to the problems of these Eurasian (now known as Anglo-Indian) and poor domiciled European children.

Bourdillon School was inaugurated on 18th December 1902 by Mr. A. Pedler who was the Director of Public Instruction, Government of Bengal. Named after the Committee that made the funds available, Calcutta Cottage was opened by Lady Bourdillon on 30th April 1903. On 8th September 1903, the Hedger Playsheds – named after Mrs. Hedger of Allahabad who donated Rs.3000 for their construction – was opened.  The Christison Farm Steading – named after Mr. G. W. Christison, who had a special interest in agriculture – was opened by Sir Charles Allen, Director of Agriculture, Darjeeling on 29th October 1903. Named in memory of Mrs. J. D. Strachan of Allahabad, Strachan Cottage was inaugurated by Mr. Robert Laidlaw of Whiteaway Laidlaw and Company on 12th January 1904.

The Water Works were inaugurated on 5th November 1904 by Sir Andrew Fraser, Governor of Bengal and President of the Homes. Mr. E. A. Gait, Finance Secretary to the Government of Bengal inaugurated Thorburn Cottage, named in memory of the late daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Thorburn of Scotland who funded the construction. In 1905, the James Patterson Memorial Workshop was opened and named after the Late Mr. James Patterson. In 1917, this building was transformed into the Clothing Department. The legacy of the Late Major Jarvie of Bearsdean funded the construction of Jarvie Hall, opened by Sir L. Hare on 24th April 1906. His legacy also funded the construction of Bene Cottage (named after Major Jarvie’s late wife, Robina Patterson – “Bene”), opened on 15th June 1906 by Mr. Earle, the Director of Public Instruction for Bengal.

The second wing of Bourdillon School was opened in 1907, followed by the completion of the Georgina McRobert Memorial Tower – named after the late wife of Mr. A. McRobert of Cawnpore who funded the tower and chimes. The Steel Memorial Hospital and Sanitorium – named after Mr. Octavius Steel of Octavius Steel and Company of Calcutta – was opened on 4th February 1908 by Miss L. Steel who was one of the donors. Mr. R. T. Greer, the Deputy Commissioner of Darjeeling, opened the Pugh Gymnasium (named in honour of Mr. L. P. Pugh) on 31st October 1908.

Inaugurated in 1910, Lucia King Cottage is home to the School's infants and toddlers who have no other refuge. Their infectious joy ensures that it continues to hold a very special place in visitors' hearts.

For the next 15 years, new buildings were added to the Homes, all due to the generosity of benefactors who were inspired by the vision and commitment of Reverend Graham.

Reverend Graham believed that the Homes was to be a place that not only represented a solution to the problems of a particular community, but that through its work and influence, the children might take with them a way of life that would extend far beyond Kalimpong.

His death signaled the end of an era. An era of love, compassion and service during which thousands of children received love and affection, and grew up with dignity and self-respect. Indeed, Reverend Graham provided the inspiration for those who came after him to continue his work. His spirit lives on and is the motive force of all those engaged in supporting and running the Homes.

A telegram sent to the children by Reverend Graham read, “The world is in difficulty and this is the call to us all to do all we can to help. You dear children have your part to play and it may be a big part. The way for you as for all of us, is to live just as Jesus lived, to follow him in His loving, unselfish, generous life of service to all, to bear witness to Him and His way, in everything we do. So shall we best help the world out of its difficulties by helping to bring God’s Kingdom to come… from your loving friend, J. A. Graham.”