I'm an International Development Studies (IDS) student at Dalhousie University, entering my 3rd year in the fall. Basically, for my second term IDS class we were required to write a paper about neoliberalism focusing on one of the BIG three - privatization, deregulation, liberalization. This assignment also included an action and action report, meaning whatever you chose to write your paper on you had to either raise awareness on the issue, or raise money for an organization, etc. Some students had movie showings, guest speakers, fundraisers, collected books and such for schools. However, I chose to focus on privatization. 

Students from Nyedeyeya Primary School in Ghana
play for the camera.

I toyed with some ideas and fixated on water after watching some clips from the documentary "Flow" that we watched in our tutorial when we were discussing the big three. I wrote specifically on water privatization in Africa, how it affected children and their schooling because of the countless diseases from unclean water, female children and woman and the long distances they had to travel - which also affects school, mortality rates, etc. While researching, I could not believe the numbers I was seeing - roughly a thousand children die everyday from preventable disease from unclean water. Even just the fact that over 1 billion people dont have access to clean water and sanitation. To me that's wild when its such an easy and FREE thing.

For the action itself I made a PowerPoint about Ryan's Well which included Ryan's story, some facts, and how to conserve water. I presented it to my family over spring break and raised some money. I read somewhere that access to clean water is the start to all development, and I 100% completely agree with this. Without clean water people cannot grow food, go to school or be in good health, therefore without clean water poverty is inevitable. I'm really happy I was able to help, even though it wasnt a huge amount of money. I know that it's going to an amazing project and I feel that I will be apart of the build.

I'm a stone in that well.

As another school year comes to an end, teachers reflect on all the things they tried to teach their students in the past ten months … and all the valuable things they hope the students have learned and will carry with them on their journey through life! Teachers work so hard to help their students get ahead in each subject and prepare them for the future, yet they also strive to expand their horizons, to open their minds to new topics and to make them aware of issues concerning the world around them, near and far. Many have chosen to get involved with the Ryan’s Well Foundation and found it to be an invaluable experience!

Learning about Ryan’s story – the young boy who, in grade one, felt compassion for those who did not have clean water half a world away and decided to do something about it –  and allowing their students to get involved and make a difference has had a huge impact on their classes. The students have done research and learned about water issues, they worked on various projects and presentations and, in the end, they took action and helped to make a huge difference in the lives of others. They incorporated many subjects such as reading, science, environment studies, geography, world issues, doing PowerPoint presentations and public speaking. They also found passion for a cause and compassion for others and this made a difference in their own lives!

As one teacher from Mississippi who is about to retire said: “I have so enjoyed working with you and Ryan’s Well. It goes down as one of my most memorable times in teaching! Good luck with the work you are doing and I am proud that I had a tiny part in it.”

When teachers can bring a deep meaning into their teaching, they have succeeded. When they can motivate students to take a matter into their own hands, do research and take action with what they have learned, as well as share their knowledge with others, they have reached a new level. These are the lessons that will not be forgotten when school is over. Like the lesson that Ryan taught us when he was so young: “little people can do big jobs” and “you are never too young to make a difference!”

As a teacher from Venezuela said: “I’ve been a teacher for 40 years and I can tell you this has been the most exciting thing of all my teaching years.”

Ryan Hreljac is a compelling and passionate voice for those impacted by the water and sanitation crisis in the developing world. He continues to act as a role model with a clear message – that every person on the planet deserves clean water, and that everyone can help make a difference. In 1998, when Ryan was in Grade 1, he learned from his teacher, Mrs. Prest that people were dying because they didn't have clean water to drink. He decided that raising money for those without access to this basic need was the right thing to do. He worked for four months doing extra chores around his house to earn his first $70. Ryan was just seven years old when his first well was built in 1999 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 a Foundation that today has raised millions of dollars and remains committed to bringing clean water and sanitation services to those impacted by the global water and sanitation crisis. Ryan remains dedicated to the Foundation and its work. He continues to speak passionately about the need for clean water around the world and has visited over two dozen countries in spreading his message. He has made presentations to hundreds of schools, churches and civic clubs, and more than two dozen international conferences and global events including Rotary International and the World Water Forums. Among his many awards and achievements, he is recognized by UNICEF as a Global Youth Leader. Ryan’s family have been very supportive of his efforts to help those impacted by the global water and sanitation crisis and to empower others to get involved. His African pen pal Jimmy Akana, who met Ryan on his first trip to Uganda, is now a member of the Hreljac family. He also makes presentations around the world on behalf of the Foundation. Visit the Ryan's Well website to read more from the RWF Blog and to learn how you can get involved, too!

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While on a recent Ryan's Well Foundation monitoring trip to west Africa, board member Bruce and Ryan's Well partner Kouma, had the opportunity to learn more about a bright young student from Adakpamé Public School in Togo. Chosen by her school headmaster, 13 year old Debora was very proud but also quite nervous to be interviewed. In the fall of 2009, we began our first School Challenge project to bring safe water and sanitation to Adakpamé school and community, located 15 km east of Togo's capital city of Lomé. The community of Adakpamé is comprised of approximately 1,665 people including 765 students at the school. Before the project began, the school lacked adequate latrines, handwashing stations and was in desperate need of a safe water source. The pre-existing dug well was completely unusable which meant students had to bring water from limited supplies at home or buy water from nearby street vendors - a costly and unsustainable supply of water. Debora, a Grade CM 2 (equivalent to Grade 8 in Canada) student at the school remembers having to leave school and go home for toilet purposes and also carry dirty water from home - her only source. This much-needed project, completed in the spring of 2010, now provides the school and community with a new well, 2 yards taps piped for the school and 2 taps piped for use by the surrounding community and a multi-stance VIP latrine and handwashing station with 5 taps for washing. During the interview, Debora explains how she is now able to carry clean water home from school for her family - which includes her 11 brothers and 1 sister. Equally as important, Debora shares that she has also been trained by her teachers to wash her hands after using the latrine and before eating. She has passed these lessons to her family; helping build knowledge and awareness of good hygiene practices throughout the community. Since the completion of this project, Debora is able to focus more of her time in school where she says her favourite class is literature because she is able to read and write, "like a journalist." She also plays on her school's girls soccer team (they call it 'football' in Togo!). Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education has helped Debora - and her schoolmates - focus on their education, health and future! Learn more about the Ryan's Well Foundation and read more from the Ryan's Well Blog!

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This Father's Day, Ryan's Well board member, Kathy Adams, shared a tribute to her husband - Ray Zahab - for the lessons and love he shares with their two girls.

To my husband, and father of our two amazing little girls on Father’s Day. 

On Fathers’ Day we want to celebrate you and everything you do!  We want you to know how much we admire you and how proud we are of all the great work you do. You are more than just an amazing dad – you are an amazing husband, provider, and nurturer. You give selflessly for the betterment of others; you are an inspiration to us!

As a father you continue to teach our daughters to love, respect and be the best they can be. We truly admire the work you do helping bring clean drinking water and sanitation to people around the world, and empowering others to get involved and make a difference. Through your own actions you continue to teach us that we are all capable of extraordinary things and that the impossible is indeed possible!  You have many accomplishments of which we are proud, but most of all, we are proud of the wonderful father you are and we love you very much. 

May each of us find ways to make the world a better place just as our father does! On Fathers Day, we wish your dad, and all fathers around the world a Happy Father’s Day!

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