For As Long As We Live

For As Long As We Live

A NOVEL BASED ON THE STORIES OFBRITISH HOME CHILDREN The 19th and early 20th century might almost be described as human disaster years for Britain. The Industrial Revolution had brought into place mass production of everyday goods making them cheaper to purchase. It brought, however, abject poverty for many of the citizens, those who could not even purchase the cheaper goods. The Industrial Revolution, whilst creating those cheaper garments and household goods through its mechanized processes, also denied the need for men and women to be turning the wheels of industry. Many segments of the work force could no longer depend on an income from the backyard sheds where, previously, all the needs of society had been produced. The Cottage Industries, whilst not decimated, could be said to have been dealt a savage blow with the mainstream goods becoming the purview of the wealthy and their factories. The rich simply had to get more wealthy, it was their modus operandi. Philanthropic Homes soon came close to bursting at the seams; they were filled with too many children in dire need. Canada, an emerging nation, set within the second largest land mass in the world, needed young people to take up the mantle and fill a void in agriculture and domestic needs. The British and Canadian governments organized the immigration opportunities identified by philanthropists. Just two years after Canada’s Confederation more than one hundred thousand British children began emigrating to Canada. So was born the British Home Child movement. Many of the children found a new way of life due to the kindness of a great number of caring Canadians. Sadly, there were abuses and some children were not able to see this new land as providing a good way of life. Regardless, it is not a stretch of the imagination to recognize the British Home Children were to become the backbone of this emerging nation. Unfortunately, many Canadian educational administrators have ignored the incredible role these children played in the evolution of their country. The subject is not even in the curriculum of most schools. Fortunately, there are pockets of educational understanding such as in Ontario where the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry High Schools, through their curriculum, proudly acknowledge the role these children played. We are hopeful other schools will follow this progressive example.