We watched this film last night, if you recently viewed the film Philomena you are probably aware of children in the United Kingdom, and Ireland, being taken away from their birth mothers (during a time when pregnant unwed women were treated less than humane), this wonderfully portrayed film, based on true events, is 130,000 times worse(!) as that is the approximate number of children taken away from their families in the United Kingdom and sent to Australia - both government kept this "dirty little secret" hidden from the world for decades.
The film is definitely worth watching, just get a hankie or tissues handy for the end.....
I have taken the liberty of copying then Prime Minister Gordon Brown's apology speech, I googled the text. It is as follows:
Gordon Brown's apology: From BBC Democracy Live
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has apologised for the UK's role in sending more than 130,000 children to former colonies where many suffered abuse.He expressed regret for the "misguided" Child Migrant Programme, telling the Commons he was "truly sorry".
He also announced a £6m fund to reunite families that were torn apart.
The scheme sent poor children for a "better life" to countries like Canada and Australia from the 1920s to 1960s, but many were abused and lied to.
'Deportation of innocents'
Mr Brown said: "To all those former child migrants and their families... we are truly sorry. They were let down.
"We are sorry they were allowed to be sent away at the time when they were most vulnerable. We are sorry that instead of caring for them, this country turned its back.
"And we are sorry that the voices of these children were not always heard, their cries for help not always heeded. And we are sorry that it has taken so long for this important day to come and for the full and unconditional apology that is justly deserved."
These children were told their "mums" and families were either dead, or did not want them.
The courage of Margaret Humphreys, a social worker from Nottingham, was beyond belief. The courage of the "children", now adults, was even more amazing, considering the brutal abuse they were subject to from people who should have known better.
I know this is not an easy film to watch, I was weeping by the end, but it is an important film to watch, and consider all that occurred to these innocent victims, however, it is done with grace and love, and well deserved to be watched.
He also announced a £6m fund to reunite families that were torn apart.
The scheme sent poor children for a "better life" to countries like Canada and Australia from the 1920s to 1960s, but many were abused and lied to.
'Deportation of innocents'
Mr Brown said: "To all those former child migrants and their families... we are truly sorry. They were let down.
"We are sorry they were allowed to be sent away at the time when they were most vulnerable. We are sorry that instead of caring for them, this country turned its back.
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HISTORY OF UK CHILD MIGRANTS
UK is the only country with a sustained history of child migration - over four centuries
In 1618, 100 sent from London to Richmond, Virginia
In total 130,000 sent from the UK to Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and Australia
Post-war, 7,000 shipped to Australia and 1,300 to New Zealand, Rhodesia and Canada
Source: Child Migrants Trust
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"And we are sorry that the voices of these children were not always heard, their cries for help not always heeded. And we are sorry that it has taken so long for this important day to come and for the full and unconditional apology that is justly deserved."
These children were told their "mums" and families were either dead, or did not want them.
The courage of Margaret Humphreys, a social worker from Nottingham, was beyond belief. The courage of the "children", now adults, was even more amazing, considering the brutal abuse they were subject to from people who should have known better.
I know this is not an easy film to watch, I was weeping by the end, but it is an important film to watch, and consider all that occurred to these innocent victims, however, it is done with grace and love, and well deserved to be watched.
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