🌍 The Boy Who Brought Water to Half a Million Souls

At just six years old, Ryan Hreljac sat in his classroom in Canada, listening intently as his teacher described the harsh reality faced by children in Africa—many had no access to clean water. Some walked for hours each day, others drank from muddy streams, and countless lives were lost to waterborne diseases. Ryan’s reaction was immediate and heartfelt: “How much does it cost to buy them a well?”

When told it would be around $70, Ryan went home and began doing chores with fierce determination—vacuuming, raking leaves, and collecting coins wherever he could. But when he proudly brought his savings to WaterCan, a Canadian charity, he learned the sobering truth: a well actually cost $2,000.

Most children would have been discouraged. Ryan wasn’t. He doubled down, knocking on doors, doing extra work, and sharing the story with anyone who would listen. His passion became contagious. Friends, neighbors, classmates, and even strangers joined his mission. Together, they raised enough money to fund a well.

By 1999, a well was drilled in Uganda. For the first time, an entire village had access to clean, safe drinking water. But Ryan didn’t stop there. What began as a child’s dream grew into a global movement.

Today, Ryan’s foundation—Ryan’s Well Foundation—has built over 400 wells and 1,000 sanitation projects across 17 countries, bringing clean water to more than 1 million people. His work has inspired thousands of young people to believe that age is no barrier to impact.

💧 From a broom and a piggy bank to international recognition, Ryan’s journey is a testament to what compassion, persistence, and a dream can achieve. He’s spoken at the United Nations, met world leaders, and continues to advocate for water access as a basic human right.

It all started with one question from a six-year-old boy—and a heart too big to ignore suffering.