“This is Ryan.
At just 6 years old, he decided to change the world.
Back in 1997, his teacher told the class how kids in Africa were dying from thirst — while he could just turn on a tap. Ryan asked how much it cost to build a well.
“About $70,” his teacher said.
So little Ryan went home, told his mom he needed $70, and started doing chores to earn it.
When he finally took his savings to the charity WaterCan, they told him the real cost was $2,000.
Most kids would’ve stopped.
Ryan didn’t.
He kept going — mowing lawns, doing chores, getting friends, neighbors, and classmates involved — until he raised every last dollar.
In 1999, Ryan’s first well was drilled in northern Uganda.
When he visited in 2000, hundreds of villagers lined the road chanting his name.
“They even know my name?” Ryan whispered.
“Everyone within 100 kilometers knows,” the guide replied.
That little boy who once just wanted to help strangers get a drink of water…
🌍 is now 34 years old
💧 has built over 400 wells
📚 and brings education and clean water to half a million people across Africa through the Ryan’s Well Foundation.
While we argue over small things, Ryan quietly became the kind of hero the world actually needs.
Be like Ryan.”
*** Beverly Numssen ***