Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together is the inspiring true story of how determination and tenacity can bring about progress that is life changing. At age six, Canadian first-grader Ryan Hreljac learned that there were people in the world that did not have safe water to drink. From that moment on, he became determined to do something that would bring clean water to others. This book takes readers on Ryan’s journey, literally and figuratively, to secure clean drinking water for a group of people in Agweo village, Uganda, Africa. Photographs, copies of letters, and draw ings accompany the text. 2007–2008 Great Lakes Great Books Awards–Fourth and Fifth Grade Honor. ak

It costs a lot of money to build a well in Africa --- a lot more than Ryan Hreljac had thought. Still, the six year old kept doing chores around his parents' house, even after he learned it could take him years to earn enough money. Then a friend of the family wrote an article in the local newspaper about Ryan's wish to build a well to supply people with safe, clean water. Before long, ripples of goodwill began spreading. People started sending money to help pay for Ryan's well. Ryan was interviewed on television. His dream of a well became an international news story.

In Agweo, Uganda, villagers were used to walking a long way every day in search of water. What they found was often brown and smelly and made a lot of people sick. But when Ryan's well was built, life in the village changed for the better. A young orphan named Akana Jimmy longed for a chance to thank Ryan in person for this gift of life --- clean water.

When they finally meet, an unbreakable bond unites these boys from very different backgrounds, and a long and sometimes life-threatening journey begins.

Ryan and Jimmy is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens.