Ryan Hreljac

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Ryan Hreljac (born May 31, 1991^{[citation needed]}) is a Canadian boy who, at the age of six, began raising money for those impacted by the global water crisis, and has since raised millions for water and sanitation projects in Africa. Ryan continues to be is a passionate speaker and a compelling voice for people impacted by the global water crisis in the developing world. He continues to be a role model with a clear message – that every person on the planet deserves clean water, and one voice (the power of one) can make a difference.

1 Ryan's Well
- 1.1 Ryan's projects
- 1.2 Projects inspired by Ryan
2 About Ryan
3 See also
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Ryan's Well

In 1998, 6-year-old Ryan Hreljac listened intently when his Grade One teacher talked about the plight of people in Africa who had to walk many kilometers every day just to fetch water, the most basic element for human survival. Ryan was shocked and decided he needed to build a well for a village in Africa. He raced home from school and begged his parents for $70 — the amount he thought was needed to drill a well. He would not give up the idea and pestered them until they relented and agreed to let him do extra chores to earn the money.

Four months later, Ryan completed the task, but when he delivered the money to a charity that builds wells in Africa, he learned that $70 was only enough for a hand pump, and that a well would actually cost $2000. Undeterred he said, “I’ll just do more chores.” Ryan’s tenacity touched the hearts of many adults, gave hope and life to many others, and began an unrelenting journey of media interviews and speaking engagements. Ryan’s first well was built in 1999 when Ryan was seven years-old at a school in a Ugandan village. The well continues to serve thousands of people.

Ryan’s determination grew from the $70 collected by doing simple household chores to the Ryan’s Well Foundation ([www.ryanswell.ca]) that today has contributed a total of 394 wells in 15 countries bringing clean water and sanitation services to over half a million people. Ryan continues to be is a passionate speaker and a compelling voice for people impacted by the global water crisis in the developing world.^[1]

[edit] Ryan's projects

Before Ryan's Well Foundation was established in March 2001, Ryan had supported 77 wells in places like Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Ethiopia. Since then, Ryan has continued to support well and sanitation projects with the help of partners such as CPAR (Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief) and other indigenous organizations. Ryan's vision is to help provide clean water and related health services to people in African countries and in other developing nations.^[2]

[edit] Projects inspired by Ryan

24 Hour Mountain Bike Race Sponsorship, Canberra, Australia
Water for Two [1], Canberra, Australia

[edit] About Ryan

As well as running Ryan's Well Foundation, he is in grade 11 at St. Michael's CHS in Kemptville, Ontario, Canada. He has three brothers; Keegan, Jordan, and his adopted brother, Jimmy Akana. His parents are Susan and Mark Hreljac. Ryan enjoys playing soccer, basketball, hockey, golf, and football.