Ryan Herljac from the Ryan's Well Foundation & Spirit Week!

We are very lucky to be having Ryan Herljak visit our school today to talk about the importance of clean water to our students. In grade 6, we read a book called "Ryan and Jimmy and the Well in Africa that brought them Together". It is the story of Ryan, who at the age of 6 decided to raise money to build a well in Africa. He was told he needed $70. When he actually went to donate the money, he was told it wouldn't build an entire well, just a part, so he raised the rest - $2000.

Later, he went to visit his well in Africa and met his pen pal, Jimmy. They became friends. A few years later, Jimmy was captured by the Ugandan rebel forces, where he would have been forced to be a child soldier, or killed. He managed to escape, and Ryan's family brought him to Canada to keep him safe. In the end, they adapted Jimmy and now they are truly brothers.

Ryan started the Ryan's Well Foundation and has now brought clean water to more than 500,000 people all over the world.

Next week, we will be having a Spirit Week to raise money for the Ryan's Well Foundation as part of our Lenten Project. Please donate what you can and have your child participate in the following activities:

• Tuesday - Jersey Day
• Wednesday - Favourite character day
• Thursday - Crazy hat/Hair day
• Friday - Tacky tourist day