Evening star., 1917-11-24
.TE[LS0F WORK IN
.WAR0RPHANS' HOME
Nine. Bimont, Here From
France, Describes Institution
Aided by D. C. Funds.

Returning from France, where. for
working in the Maison Familiale. the
home for French war orphans to which
Washington contributed generously,
Nine. Blanche J. Bimont. former teach
er at Western High School. tells of her
experiences abroad and of the work
done by the home.
Mime. Bimont bears an official receipt
showing that s13,oo1 was donated for
beds and clothes for the Maison Fam
iliale by friends in the United States.
and since Nine. Bimont left $4,000 more
has been collected to be forwarded by
her to the home.
D. C.. Names for Dormitories.
One Of the dormitories in the home is
called Western High School of Wash :
ington." and another Public Schools OF
Washington" and three others are
named for individual American donors,
Nine. Bimont says.
"on rainy days" Nine Bimont states.
games donated by the sixth grade
children of the Elizabeth V. Brown
School. Chevy Chase, were much appre-
ciated.''
Describing her arrival at the home.
Nine Bimont says: Beds having been
sent and f1fty-nine children being al
ready at the Maison Familiale. the chill
dren were at the station to greet the
director general and me. Flowers were
offered to me, as representing the
friends of the United States. and COM
pliment of welcome was delivered by
the oldest of the orphans.
Stars and Stripes Flying.
when we reached the Chateau de
Breceau, bought for the Maison
Familiale by the orpheiinat des
Armees (under auspices of which the
was flying the Stars and Stripes. The
chateau comprises three buildings
"On entering the Breceau we found
on our right smaller building than
the main one. which has three dormi
nally was the garage and stables and
quarters Of the chauffeurs and coach
men. These have been turned into
recreation places and dressing rooms
for the children to dress and undress
before and after sea bathing.
After walking $50 yards we found
the main building. three stories high.
On the first floor are two dormitories
for babies. the nurses room, dining
rooms and parlor. The second floor
has three dormitories. the directors
apartment and a night nurses room.
The third floor has five dormitories. a
ESeighing room and other quarters:
dining room are in an English base
ment.
IT gave me thrill to see the Stars
and Stripes introduced everywhere.
even In the orphans games"
Children, 8 to 13, Admitted.
Nine Bimont explained that child
years old. inclusive. to be admitted to
the home. The child must have lost
his father since the war began and
must be in such delicate condition that
ne or she needs special treatment
The length of the stay" she contin-
ued, "is prescribed by doctors As the
Maison Familiale is open all winter,
orphans able to pursue their studies go
work under proper supervision. The
schoolmaster of the village is great
lover OF these war orphans and takes
a special interest in their studies
founger ones are instructed without
books. Sea bathing is encouraged
Every provision is made for dieting,
bathing and caring for the children.
The children play on the beach, which
is perfectly safe, under the supervi-
sion Of a nurse.
Most Of the clothing owned by the
children having become too small. the
home furnishes them. This summer
blue and white was the fashion at sea
resorts. and, since this was no more
coiors- Little girls are allowed to wear
knfckerbockers. This winter the uni
form Is of brown corduroy, with a
Jonre blue collar and a Neapolitan cap
to match the collar"
Little Victims Of Undertaking.
Three groups of children were treat
ed this summer at the home, and all
cases but two responded to treatment.
Ihe two that were lost had been un-
derfed too long to recover.
since her return. and before, many
letters have come to Mime. Bimont asIr,
ing what could be sent to the children
ior Chr1stmas and how to send such
gifts. Gifts or contributions NAV be
sent to Nine. Bimont, 1445 Massachu-
setts avenue northwest. and they will
De forwarded by her to the children.
LOCATE MISSING sHIpBuunER