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.