Under the abhorrent Child Migrants Programme many English people had to send their children to work on farms in Canada and Australia as labourers. Approximately 66% were neglected or abused as documented in the Canwest News Service in 2009.

Benjamin Poplar or Ben was one of those migrant boys - and this is his story. The young boy was separated from his family and lived prosaically amongst strangers, which is never easy. But what do you do when your country forces you with a guise of a ‘better life’ and ships you to be physically, emotionally or sexually abused?

The carefree lad used to run along the fields beyond woods and farms with his best four-legged pal ‘Bessie’, the loyal little collie cross dog. This was a boy who dreamed and loved meditating on all beings passing by, making up imaginary stories about their lives and families. None were as blissful as his, he used to think.

But everything changed. His life was snatched, as was his family. This is a gut-wrenching tale of suffering and redemption, family and separation.

While Benjamin Poplar’s story is indeed of a childhood lost, it is also a journey that gives courage and evokes determination.