Meet Ryan, the young Canadian who helped provide clean water to half a million Africans. Born in May 1991, his story began when he was six. After learning about African children struggling to get clean water, Ryan was deeply affected. He learned from his teacher that an organization called WaterCan could build a well for about seventy dollars. That day, he asked his mother for the money.
Susan explained he’d have to earn it. Ryan worked hard, earning a few dollars weekly until he saved seventy dollars. He went to WaterCan, only to discover a well cost two thousand dollars.
Most would quit, but not Ryan. He promised to get the full amount. He kept working, doing chores and inspiring others to help. Slowly, they raised the money, and in January 1999, the first well was built in Uganda.
His school got involved, and Ryan met a boy named Akana, inspiring him to visit Uganda in 2000. He was greeted by hundreds of people chanting his name.
“They even know my name?” Ryan asked, amazed.
The guide replied, “Everyone within one hundred kilometers knows.”
Now thirty-three, Ryan runs his own foundation. He’s built over four hundred wells, providing clean water to hundreds of thousands in Africa. He also focuses on education and teaches communities how to maintain wells and manage water resources.
In a world of trivial pursuits, Ryan’s story shows us what true heroism is.