Cholmondeley Children's Home

I photographed Cholmondeley Children's Home in 1996 for an assignment during my year at Christchurch Polytechnic with the professional photography course. I was very touched by the dedication of the staff and the plight of the children that the idea grew of producing a book, showing the unselfish love, giving, and caring environment of this unique place.




                 >> Cholmondeley Home overlooking Lyttelton harbour

Cholmondeley Children's Home, overlooking the sea, is built on one of the nicest spots in Governors Bay, just over the hills from Christchurch, New Zealand. Cholmondeley is an undenominational emergency home for boys and girls aged between three and twelve years old. It was be quested to the children of Canterbury by Mr. Hugh Herber Cholmondeley and opened in 1925. It must be one of the best places for a child to be when in crisis.

After the time I spent at Cholmondeley, my views towards children's home's have definitely changed. I've seen how organized care giving benefits not only the children as individuals, but the community as a whole.

Joep van der Pal 1996




                  >>1996 Cholmondeley staff, Hillary, Tima,
                  miss Judge, Candy, Pat, Sue Sara, Paul, Meshelle,
                  Helen and Wayne

Cholmondeley Children's Home is a unique happy place where, children, whose families are in crisis or stressed out, come to stay. Set above the Governors Bay wharf, and surrounded by the Governors Bay community, there is an atmosphere of tranquility, albeit broken by the sound of children talking, laughing, and happily occupied.

Children staying at Cholmondeley Home see there is a different daily routine then the one they are often caught in. They learn adults can be concerned for them, care for, love them, and are trustworthy. They find others to share their concerns with, and to work through their problems. They see adults and children having fun together, working together as teams and enjoying each day.

Cholmondeley Children's Home's uniqueness lies in it's emphasis on preventative and pre-emptive work with children and families, so they can continue to be together, after this time apart.

'I have been at Cholmondeley for two weeks with my son who is six weeks old and my time here has restored my faith and built up my insight. Like those children here, I too am a product of a dysfunctional society and as a child suffered similar abuse.'

'My hurt grew with me from adolescence into adulthood, it stayed firm though my addictions and the birth of my children and death of my son. A hurt child lives always within, no matter how old you are, and I am learning to nurture her. My children have suffered too, through the vicious cycle. It's a generation thing and we must get educated so the cycle can be broken.'

'That there is a place like this for these children is a godsend. To help them as children to deal with the pain, even if briefly, gives them half the chance for healthy adulthood. Seeing them laugh and play and learn in the face of adversity is awesome and overwhelming. I feel for them all, they are me...'

'The combined 'heart' of the staff is so full of love these kids can't help but benefit. Seeing the consistent effort and input given by all shows me there is some faith still to be had in the human race. For me to recognize that shows me I'm healing. If there was a place like this for me as a child maybe my path would've been kinder, who knows.'