Ryan Hreljac began his active life of advocacy for water-poor communities in 1998 when he was six years old when he determinedly focused his sights on building a single well for a dry village in Africa. The story touched hearts and launched an avalanche of media reports, films, inspirational book chapters, and speaking requests that resulted in more donations and attention to water issues than he could have imagined. In 2001, with support of family and other volunteers, Ryan established the Ryan’s Well Foundation, a registered Canadian charity that helps build wells, educates children about water and sanitation, and motivates people of all ages and backgrounds to perform their own “power of one” miracles. Over the years, Ryan’s foundation has received support from people like Oprah Winfrey, the Prince of Wales, Matt Damon and Dr. Jane Goodall. Where once Ryan’s mission was clean water for all of Africa, his activities have taught him more about water needs elsewhere. He has since expanded his dream to a vision of clean water for everyone on the planet.

To date, Ryan and his foundation have raised millions of dollars to support almost 500 water projects in 16 developing countries. Ryan’s work has helped bring clean water to more than 600,000 people and has triggered innumerable acts of kindness, volunteerism, and philanthropy around the world.