Christian Men and Women

Thomas John Barnardo

Thomas Barnardo (1845—1905), was founder and director of homes for children who were very poor. He was born in Ireland in 1845.

During his medical work in the east end of London in 1865 Barbardo noticed that there were many homeless and very poor children. He gave up his early ambition of preaching about Jesus in far off lands and began what was to prove his life's work which was to open homes in order to stop children dying on the streets of London. The first of the "Dr Barnardo's Homes" was opened in 1867 in, London. From that time the work steadily increased until, at the time of the Barnardo's death, in 1905, there were 112 Homes, throughout the United Kingdom. Barnardo wanted to help poor children and strays, to feed, clothe, educate, and, where possible, to give an industrial training suitable to each child.

From the foundation of the homes in 1867 to the date of Barnardo's death, nearly 60,000 children have been rescued, trained and placed out in life. Barnardo died on the 19th of September 1905.

The work of Thomas Barnardo is continuing today by the charity Barnardo's.

The virtues that Barnardo displayed throughout his life were Justice, Faith, Hope and Love (Charity).