Do you remember those boats we used to make out of sheets of paper when we were young and which we used to watch going down the side of the road along with the stream of water along after a rainfall? This is a concrete (or some other material) replica to remember a sad story.
Between 1950 and 1965, Malta was still a colony going through hard times after emerging from the war. Under a scheme launched by the Australian government, a total of 315 Maltese children were transferred to Australia through the efforts of Maltese political and ecclesiastical authorities, and with the consent of parents or guardians. The intentions were good since the purpose of the scheme was for the children to be given an education and a good future. The same scheme had been launched in other countries, too, and it seems the children were similarly treated.
It later emerged that these children were forced to work in institutions and many were not given education while a number of them also suffered physical and sexual abuse.
This monument is for these Maltese children and was inaugurated a few years ago when at the same time the Maltese Parliament unanimously apologised to those who suffered as a consequence of this move. The governments of Australia and the UK, among others, had also apologised for the distress caused to all the children.
This monument is at the Valletta Waterfront from where the children embarked for their trip/trips to Australia. In the background across the Grand Harbour, are Fort St Angelo (left) and Fort St Michael (middle). Took this shot when we went for a snack after Vocal Aids. It was around 11.30pm when we were served food – I wasn’t so keen to eat at such a late hour but the plate of pasta I had was immensely good.
Thank you very much for following my project and for the comments on yesterday’s picture.
What an incredibly sad story. Similiar thing happened to hundreds of Britsh children, some who were said to be orphans, & they actually werent!! Nice remembrance
Very poignant capture for such a sad cause. So hard to believe governments could do such an unbelievable thing to children. I have read a book written by one of these children (now an adult) and that tore at my heart.
