Name: Ryan Hreljac
When it began: started his organization at age 6
City: Kemptville, Ontario
Website: www.ryanswell.ca
In 1998, six-year-old Ryan Hreljac listened to his grade one teacher talk about the unfortunate things that African people go through every day. Ryan was shocked to learn that many Africans have to walk many kilometres just to get water! He was inspired to save his allowance money to help build a well in Africa. Through his foundation (the Ryan’s Well Foundation) he has helped raise over $1 million and supported more than 120 water and sanitation projects in nine developing countries, seven of which are in Africa.
What inspired you to start Ryan’s Well Foundation?
I was inspired when I learned that people were dying in Africa because they did not have clean water. I was six years old then and I couldn’t believe it. I thought everyone just walked to the tap and got a drink of clean water. I didn’t know these people on the other side of the world but I counted and it only took me seven steps to get to my tap in the bathroom. When I heard that some kids walk for five or six kilometres to get water for their families before they go to school, I wanted to do something to help.
When you first got started, what kind of challenges did you face and how did you tackle them? Were there any specific challenges you faced because you were a kid?
A family in Chizwa using one of Ryan's wells.
I was pretty lucky when I got started. At first my parents didn’t really think I could do anything so they ignored me at first. They said it was because I was only six. Then they decided to give me a chance. I worked for four months doing lots on extra chores on top of my regular chores to raise the first $70. Then when I heard that $70 would only buy the hand pump that sits on top and that it was really going to cost $2,000 to build a well, I just said I would do more chores. Now there is a foundation called the Ryan’s Well Foundation.
I think the most important thing I have learned is that there aren’t really big challenges, only lots of little ones. If you look at it that way, then it’s easier to face them. You also have to remember that change is a lot of hard work. It takes awhile to see the difference but you have to believe and never give up!
What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishments?
I don’t think I have really done anything great, but if people hear my story and decide that they want to do something to make the world a better place and if there are a lot of people that decide to do that, then I guess that’s pretty great.
Is there someone you admire, or something that inspires you everyday to continue your work?
What inspires me are all the kids that are doing something to make the world a better place even though some adults might not think they can. I also like it when adults take the time to listen to kids and to work with them to create positive change. My friends like Dr. Jane Goodall, Jean-Michel Cousteau and Raffi are great examples. Kids are great but we still have a lot that we can learn from adults. I know that I have learned a lot from them.
What advice would you give to our EcoKids who are itching to do something just like you did?
Children in their new dining centre.
I would tell the EcoKids to believe in themselves and to believe in their power to turn their dreams into reality. I think the world is like a great big puzzle and I we all have to figure out where their puzzle piece fits. My piece just happens to fit with water. One in six people on the planet do not have access to clean water. Every day 6,000 children die needlessly because of waterborne diseases. That’s like 20 full jumbo jets crashing every single day of the year. And that’s just the kids.
EcoKids need to find something that they really care about and then work like crazy to make it happen. It’s hard work but it is possible no matter how old you are! It might not seem like you are making a difference at first but if you keep at it you’ll find that it doesn’t take long.
