Ryan’s Well - It's Not Who You Are, it's What You Do
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.11.06
The daily news so often brings us such doom and gloom about the fate of people and the planet that it can become overwhelming. We may think to ourselves, “How can little ole me contribute anything of worth to improving this morass?” This was the question Ryan Hreljac asked, when informed of the plight of African families struggling without access to clean water. Ryan, undaunted by the challenge before him as a 6 year old school kid, set out to right this wrong. He persuaded his parents to pay him to do extra chores and finally came up with the $75 he thought was needed to drill a well. Turns out that was for a hand pump, a well was more like $2,000. He redoubled his efforts and some months later presented this money to WaterCan. They dug a well on his behalf next to a school in Uganda. Impressive, huh? Not for Ryan it wasn't.
"When I learned that there were people dying in the world because they didn't have clean water, I couldn't believe it! I take nine steps and there, I have it. Clean water right in my tap. Some people in Africa have to walk for five miles to get clean water. My new brother Jimmy Akana used to live in Uganda. He told me that he would get up at 12 midnight and walk for five miles to get water for his aunt. Then he walked five miles back. He did this three times before he went to school!" Ryan now had a new goal. "I want everyone in Africa to have clean water," he declared.
And in the seven years since, this ordinary, yet extraordinary Canadian schoolboy has raised the many hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to fund 170 water and sanitation projects in 9 countries. So take heart, there is much you can do to make this world a better place. Simply begin by doing the best you can, and who knows where that might lead. Ryan clearly demonstrates that you don’t need to be a Bono, a Gorbachev or an Al Gore to make changes. For as Helen Keller remarked "I am only one; but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do". Ryan’s Well Foundation via My Hero and PNYV.
Wow, that's really inspiring. If a six year old can manage to make a difference, why can't an adult? We need more compassion in this world.
What a fantastic endeavor. There are many more young people like Ryan who are doing phenomenal things and would love to see more of this highlighted. It seems obvious that he will stick by this and go on to do other incredible things. Parents must be so proud.
What a great kid! Thanks for posting that. I really needed something uplifting today.
Greetings from Canada!
It's Susan Hreljac, Ryan's mom. I am heartened by Warren McLaren's efforts to profile the good work of my son - and by the kind comments to his post. If Ryan were responding, however, he would tell you that the accomplishment does not belong to him. He would tell you that it belongs to thousands of people in more than 100 countries around the world who have joined his effort since 1998 and who also now believe in the power of "little ole me."
Also, FYI, Warren, I notice that you reside in Sydney. You may be intersted in knowing that the University of Wollongong will be hosting our family this coming August when Ryan and his new brother Jimmy deliver a series of speaking engagements in and around Wollongong and Sydney. It will be Ryan's second visit to Australia. Check our web site as the date gets closer for details.
Warm regards,
Susan Hreljac
Executive Director (Volunteer)
Ryan's Well Foundation
what a tremendous story about the strength and compassion that children have and are capable of having.!
i forwarded this article to my son's school....maybe it will spawn some good deeds/ideas somewhere along the line!!
thanks!
you are an amazing ! you are an inspiration to all us teenagers out there you have done amazing work an everyone is so proud of you !!