Wonderful story Joanne....hope you posted ont he Webboard too...haven't looked
today!





Joanne King <[log in to unmask]> on 99/11/04 06:26:01 AM

Please respond to Health Promotion on the Internet <[log in to unmask]>

To:   [log in to unmask]
cc:    (bcc: Charleen Gorbet)

Subject:  Re: "Letting Kids Lead"




I am   forwarding the following posting - received from Catherine O'Brien.
I hope you find it as   hopeful as I do.  Joanne King, Executive Director,
Community Resource Centre, 15 Lake Street, Killaloe, Ontario, K0J 2A0,
613-757-3108 (voice), 613-757-0208 (fax)    [log in to unmask]

"Letting Kids Lead"

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I am collecting stories about children who are influencing change in their
community and beyond. I am particularly interested in stories that
demonstrate children who are acting on concerns about development and
environment issues. The stories I have so far create the picture of
children who remind us that change is possible and that small steps really
can make a big difference. I am asking people to send me stories of children
you know or ask children to send me stories about accomplishments they are
proud of. Please feel free to circulate the following request to friends and
networks you feel are appropriate.

People contributing stories should include an address and/or e-mail for me
to contact them for further information.

Ryan's story below is an example of the stories I have encountered.

Kindest regards,
Dr. Catherine O'Brien
York Centre for Applied Sustainability
York University

Home address: R.R. #2 Eganville, ON K0J 1T0
Home ph: (613) 754-2559
Fax: (613) 754-9923


Ryan's Well

This is the story of 6 year old Ryan Hreljac. One day, Ryan was listening to
his grade one teacher describing the impoverished conditions of people in
Uganda. She talked about their desperate need for food and water. "It costs
$1 to buy them a hot meal, $2 for a blanket, and $70 to build a well", she
said. This fired Ryan's imagination and he went home to ask his parents for
$70.

His parents responded that they wouldn't give him the money but would help
him to raise it. His mother told me that she and her husband didn't really
take their son seriously. "He was only 6," she said. They thought his
interest would wane long before he raised the $70. however, they were
determined to support his efforts as long as he sustained interest in the
project. For the next four months, Ryan collected money from odd jobs
around the house and doing chores for neighbours. Every cent he collected
when into a cookie jar.

Once he had accumulated the $70 he and his parents contacted WaterCan, the
Non-Governmental Organization that coordinates the well projects. They
learned that the actual amount required was $2,000. Ryan was disappointed
but not defeated. He raised awareness about the well throughout his school
and community. He spoke to Rotarians and the media. His efforts have
resulted in a $10,000 donation to WaterCan which
translates into $30,000 with CIDA matching funds.
Ryan is now 8 years old. He has set a new goal to raise $25,000 to purchase
used well drilling equipment.

Ryan reminds us of the remarkable capacity that children have to contribute
to their community and the world.