Ryan’s Well

Six-year-old Ryan Hreljac was shocked. It was January, 1998. Ryan's teacher, Mrs. Prest, was telling her grade one class about people in Africa who were dying because they had no water. Mrs. Prest told the class that $70.00 Canadian would provide a well for some of these people. Ryan went home after school and begged his parents for $70.00 to donate for a well.

Ryan's parents weren't willing to just give Ryan $70.00. They told him he would have to work for the money by doing extra chores. Ryan agreed. He did the extra chores and over the next few months, he was able to save $70.00.

Ryan took the money to WaterCan, a non-profit organization that provides clean water to poor countries. The people at WaterCan told Ryan that $70.00 would only provide a hand pump, not a well. It would take $2,000.00 to drill a well in Africa.

Ryan was determined to earn enough money to dig a well. He asked his parents for more chores. After a few months, he had saved $2,000.00. He took the money to WaterCan. A well was drilled beside Anglo Primary School in northern Uganda, using Ryan's money.

In the summer of 2000, Ryan and his parents travelled to Africa. The money for the trip was donated by Ryan's neighbours, Bruce and Bev. When Ryan arrived, 5,000 people lined the road. They were all chanting his name, as he and his parents walked to the well. When Ryan approached the well, he was both pleased and proud to see a plaque that read:

Ryan's Well

Funded by Ryan H.

For the Community of Anglo Primary School

In May, 2000, Ryan and his classmates at Holy Cross School in Kemptville, Ontario, sponsored a Hike-A-Thon. They raised $6,000.00. The money was used to send "Free the Children" school kits to kids in northern Uganda.

Ryan is still raising money to dig wells in Africa. His story has been printed in Owl Magazine, Scholastic Magazine, Today's Parent, Time for Kids and many others around the world. Ryan has appeared on Canada AM, CBC Morning, CTV National News and twice on the Oprah Winfrey Show. A documentary about Ryan, "Real to Reel Producations," premiered on television in 2001. Ryan's picture has appeared on the cover of "Reader's Digest" in countries world-wide.

When Ryan grows up, he plans to move to Africa. His dream is to become a water engineer. "I want to work until all of Africa has clean water," he says.

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