Ryan Hreljac

My story is really very simple. One day in January 1998, I was sitting in my Grade 1 classroom.  My teacher explained that people were sick and some were even dying because they didn’t have clean water.  She told us that some people walked for hours in Africa and sometimes it was just to get dirty water.

I decided I had to do something about it. I started doing extra chores, telling family and friends about the water crisis to raise money for a well in Africa. My goal of clean water for all has grown from $70 collected by doing household chores to the Ryan’s Well Foundation. Over 11 years, Ryan’s Well has carried out hundreds of projects in more than a dozen developing countries benefiting over half a million people who now have access to clean water and sanitation services.

My own message is simple.  Be kind.  Be compassionate.  Care and share what you have with others.  Get involved in your communities and get involved in the world.  I’m sure that many of you already do that in a big way.  Now we need to encourage others to do the same.

Every individual makes a difference.  Kids and adults need to work together.  Change is hard work.  It doesn’t happen overnight and it works best when everyone works together.  Whether your passion is clean water or whatever what is important is that we all make a difference.

Sometimes people ask me who my heroes are.  I tell them that if I really had to pick someone to admire it would be all the young people out there with the tenacity and determination to work for a better world.

Now it’s your turn.  Figure out where your puzzle piece fits and then get busy.  We need to believe in our dreams and in our power to turn those dreams into reality.   I pray at night for clean water not just for my family but for every family on earth.  I hope my dreams come true one day and I hope your dreams come true too.

Ryan Hreljac is 17 years old and is the founder of the Ryan’s Well foundation. He has earned numerous awards for his work advocating for access to clean water in impoverished countries. He also completed Grade 11 with the Class Afloat program, where he learned the school curriculum while sailing around the world! Ryan lives in North Grenville, Ontario, with his family. For more information about Ryan, check out his website at Ryanswell.ca.

It would have been easy for Samantha to ignore the election. She didn't really have a preference for any of the candidates or an idea of who she would vote for.She found the voting instructions complex and confusing. It would have been far easier to go out with friends... or go shopping... or go to the library...

But Samantha did vote. For the first time, Samantha exercised her right and made her voice heard.

“I felt it was important to have my say and wanted to be a part of the democratic process. It was just something I had to do," said Samantha.

By voting, Samantha has helped shape our country and has taken advantage of one of the most important benefits of turning 18. But to her, it's really no big deal. “I had my say," she adds, “Which means I've now earned the right to complain," she adds with a laugh.

 

Know how you always wanted to be treated as an adult?

Get ready! Each passing year gives you more responsibilities, and more control over your own life. You can drive, you can vote and you can earn your own money.

You can also step up and help make the world the place you want it to be. There are tons of opportunities for you to get involved and make a positive impact so check out these links and jump in!

• I want to be involved in my local community. Where can I start?
• What should I know before I volunteer? What are my rights?
• I want to volunteer across Canada and abroad. Where do I start?
• I want to travel and explore the Canada and the world. What are some options?
• I want to develop my leadership skills. Who can help me?
• How do I get a driver's licence?
• Do I have to register to vote?
• How old do I have to be to work?
• I have a disability. Can I get help to make the transition to adulthood?

• I want to be involved in my local community. Where can I start?
• 
  

  www.ONZONE.ca - Volunteering - Take the Volunteer Personality Test.

  
  www.volunteer.ca - Everything you need to know about volunteering in Canada.
  
  

  Volunteer Toronto - Connecting people to volunteer opportunities in Toronto.

  Charity Village has information on training, jobs, and volunteer opportunities. If you want to get involved in volunteerism this is a great place to look.

  United Way - Volunteers are critical to the success of the United Way and this site has information about how you can get involved with your local organization.

  www.canadian-universities.net – Direct links to volunteer resources and opportunities for non-profit organizations and agencies.

• What should I know before I volunteer? What are my rights?

• www.labour.gov.on.ca – All you need to know about your rights as a volunteer

• I want to volunteer across Canada and abroad. Where do I start?

• The Canadian International Development Agency’s website keeps you informed on how to make a difference in your community and abroad.

  Canada World Youth offers six-month local and international volunteer programs.

   

  Katimavik. is a leading youth volunteer service program. This website would be great to check out if you are interested in volunteering experiences and Canadian travel after high school.

  On the highly interactive Taking IT Global website you can connect with other youth and find out how to improve your local and global community.

• I want to travel and explore the Canada and the world. What are some options?

• www.exchanges.gc.ca - If you enjoy meeting new people, volunteering in your community and experiencing different Canadian cultures, then this exchange program website is worth checking out.

  www.summer-work.com – If you’re 16 or 17, you can apply to work in Quebec for the summer.

  YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada – Get a group together and exchange living arrangements with a group of young people in another province.

  Rotary Youth Exchanges offer youth from Canada and all over the world the opportunity to learn a new language, attend a new school and live in a foreign country for 12 months.

• I want to develop my leadership skills. Who can help me?

• www.jacan.org - If you are thinking about a business career in your future then check out this site to learn about leadership development and developing business skills.

  YouthUnited.ca – Youth Outreach at the United Way of Greater Toronto (Facebook) is about fostering leadership skills and a sense of civic responsibility.

  YOUCAN is run by young people on volunteer youth teams. Team Ottawa and Toronto meet bi-weekly to discuss current issues, community and school development, training opportunities and upcoming events.

  www.4-h-canada.ca -The Canadian 4-H Council promotes youth leadership through national programs and services.

• How do I get a driver's licence?

• Ministry of Transportation Everything you need to know about getting your drivers licence including age requirements, licence types, where to go and how much it costs.

• Do I have to register to vote?

• Elections Ontario explains when, where and how to vote and provides other information about voting. It explains the importance of voting, encouraging youth to participate.

• How old do I have to be to work?

• Ministry of Labour Explains age regulations for different types of jobs.

• I have a disability. Can I get help to make the transition to adulthood?

• DOOR 2 Adulthood Disability Ontario Online Resource opens the DOOR 2 Adulthood and helps you get ideas for leading your own life.