Background information about Thomas Barnardo, whose faith led him to work for the welfare of children in the East End, and the establishment of what would become the Barnardo's charity

In 1845 a son was born to a Dublin furrier. The son grew to be an independent spirit, something of a trouble-maker at school, argumentative and good with words. He left school without any qualifications, and was apprenticed to a wine merchant. Then, just before his 17th birthday, he had a conversion experience and became sure that God was calling him to be a doctor with the China Inland Mission. His name was Thomas Barnardo.