The five Canadian kids you will meet in these chapters have impacted the world to the point where it is forever changed. Thanks to their youthful innocence, they saw a great need, and did not hesitate in raising their voice and forging new paths to emerge triumphant in their quest to make the world a better place for the environment and their fellow human beings. You will read how their journey began and how it unfolded during their childhood, and what they are doing today to continue their amazing work. At the end of each chapter, you will be empowered with facts and suggestions on how you can do your part to change the world - because kids can make a difference! The author will donate a percentage of personal proceeds from sales of this book to each of the organizations/causes represented by the five Canadian "kids". An "Amazing Children Around The World" Book

Amazing Canadian Kids!

What They're Doing to Make a Difference And How You Can Too!By Sheneeza Kanji

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Sheneeza Kanji
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4634-2060-4

Contents

Introduction.......................................................................................................viiRyan and the Water Well............................................................................................1Miranda Films for the Environment..................................................................................8Hannah Cares for the Homeless......................................................................................18Kayla Opens a Window for World of Autism...........................................................................25Craig Battles Child Labour.........................................................................................31Other Facts and Statistics on Childhood Illnesses and Natural Disasters, and How You Can Help:.....................39Glossary of Terms..................................................................................................43

Chapter One

Ryan and the Water Well

"I just love hearing more examples of people who ... just do what they want to do and don't care if it's not going to fix the entire problem or not going to make the biggest impact on the world, but are naïve enough to do what I did when I was six. And it's amazing what can happen over time." Ryan Hreljac

If you ever thought that being a kid meant that you had to wait to grow up to help other kids - think again! Ryan Hreljac was a young boy who did not allow his age to stand in the way of doing the right thing. Instead, he decided he needed to make a difference immediately. At first, he appeared to be a typical child, living in a small community just outside Ottawa, Ontario. Like many Canadian kids, he enjoyed playing hockey and hanging out with his friends. But Ryan was not typical.

At just six years of age, one day at school turned out to be an amazing turning point in his young life. As he sat in his classroom, Ryan listened to his grade one teacher, Mrs. Prest, tell a story that would cause a sense of shock and disbelief to wash over him. The story she told was of people who lived in a distant land. Her words would move Ryan to the point where it would send him and his family on an important and life-saving journey to change the world – a journey that would take them from Canada to Africa, where water can take or save a life.

Mrs. Prest told Ryan's class that there were many people living in Africa who did not have access to medicine, food and clean water, as we did here in Canada. Ryan listened with sadness as his teacher spoke of how many people, especially children, become very sick and even die because they do not have clean water to drink. Mrs. Prest told her students that many people in poor and developing countries have to walk long distances to find water to drink, cook with and bathe in. The water they find is often brown, smelly and carries a lot of germs and harmful bacteria. After hearing that raising enough money could help to build a water well in an African village, Ryan became determined to do just that. Mrs. Prest had said that it only costs $70 to build a well that could provide a village and the surrounding area with clean and safe water. Ryan did not have $70 but he knew who did!

After school, Ryan raced home and asked his parents for the $70 to build a well in Africa but was disappointed when his mom told him she could not simply hand over that much money to him. Ryan's mom noticed his look of disappointment and suggested he raise the money himself by doing extra chores around the house. Ryan quickly agreed and set out to earn the funds he would need to build his well. His mom helped him track his earnings by posting a chart on the kitchen fridge and providing Ryan with a cookie tin to place his money in. Ryan's chores included vacuuming, washing windows, cleaning the yard and helping with the garbage. His parents even gave him five dollars for excellent grades on his report card!

Four months later, Ryan had raised the $70 he thought he needed. He and his mom decided that they would deliver the money to an organization that provides safe water in developing countries. When Ryan heard from the people at the organization that the drill to build the well would cost about $2000 more, he did not become discouraged. Instead, he decided he would do whatever it took to raise the funds needed, even if it meant doing more chores around the house. He was quite a determined child and he was not willing to give up his drive to build the well in Africa.

As he continued to do his part to raise the money for the drill, Ryan's story began to be passed on to many people. Word was spreading of an amazing little boy who was trying to do something wonderful for disadvantaged people in a far away land. Inspired by Ryan's youthful innocence and determination, many donated funds to help him build the well. Ryan was overjoyed each time he and his family were greeted with envelopes bearing donations of money and cheques in their home mailbox. He was touched by the generosity of strangers.

Eventually, Ryan's story was featured in newspapers across Canada and TV stations wanted to interview this special young boy. He soon became known in other parts of the world also. Oprah Winfrey, a famous talk-show host in the United Sates, interviewed him on her show - twice! His message to her audience and the world was that age does not matter when there are people who need help. Anyone can help to make a difference at any age if they truly care about something.

Many more people who heard of Ryan's story from reading the newspaper or seeing him on TV were also moved by his compassion. They too began to send money to help him achieve his goal of building the well. Some people even donated their air miles so that Ryan and his parents could fly to Africa to see the well once it was completed. Due to Ryan's efforts and the kindness of strangers, all the money was raised for the drill and the well, and so construction began immediately at Angolo Primary School near the town of Agweo, in Uganda, a country in East Africa. Ryan had asked that the well be built near a school so that children could benefit from it while they were busy learning. People in the nearby towns and villages could have access to the well also.

Meanwhile, back home in Canada, Ryan's story had gained so much in popularity that he had become a famous young boy. People invited him to come and speak to their groups about his determination to build the well in Africa. His first speech in front of citizens of a local town made him quite nervous; however, he persevered and impressed the people with his story and bravery. From there, he went on to give speeches in front of larger numbers of people. He was becoming more confident and passionate as he raised awareness about his cause. He spoke at the Millennium Dreamers Conference at Walt Disney World in Florida, where he was presented with a star on the Disney Walk of Fame. In his speeches, he made sure that everyone understood how important it was that all children, no matter where they lived, have clean water to drink, instead of unsafe water carrying dangerous diseases.

Ryan's classmates wanted to get involved to help their friend as well. One way they could do so was to learn more about life for children in these developing countries. Ryan was...