Getting to Know Ryan and Allen
Why Water?
People often ask us why we got passionate about water. Well about three years ago I (ryan) went to the Passion Conference and I watched a documentary made by an organization called Invisible Children. The organization was raising awareness on a horrible, horrible situation happening in Uganda. Children on a daily basis were being abducted by the Rebel Army and forced to either fight for the army or get shot themselves. If you have seen "Blood Diamond" what happened to the boy in "Blood Diamond" is exactly what was going on over there, except it wasn't a movie - it was real.
I, like most Americans, have seen plenty videos and commercials of the children half clothed and very sick with the big bellies, but Invisible Children's documentary shook my world. I walked out of that auditorium determined to do something for Africa one day.
The next year I was a senior and looking ahead to what I wanted to do after college. Still deeply moved and committed to helping my fellow human beings in Africa I decided I would see if Invisible Children could use any help with future projects and campaigns. See I was a Communication major and had a concentration in Electronic Media. I had already made many, many short films and had even won a couple awards at venues in NYC and at the Cannes Film Festival. So what better way to help the children in Africa then help Invisible Children with their next documentary?
It was on Invisible Children's website that I first learned about people literally dying of dirty water. I mean who dies of dirty water in the 21st century? Aren't we kind of past that? Humanity has walked on the moon, invented robots to do our jobs, found ways to communicate across the entire globe in nanoseconds and people are still dying from water? The most basic of all basic needs, water. No way, that can't be. But the more I read the more I found out how true it was.
The Fact is I could drink out of my toilet right now, just the way it is, no cleaning it before hand or anything, and it would be cleaner than the majority of Africa's drinking water. That is ridiculous.
So when I graduated I knew I had to do something. Eventually I met Allen and told him about my dream, desire, determination to rally individuals like ourselves, not super stars or fancy politicians, just the normal Joe Schmoe, as a small band of deeply committed individuals to bring clean water to Africa so nobody has to die anymore from dirty water. Allen was onboard instantly, he loved it, all of it, and had been desiring to help Africa as well.
Me and Allen believe and always will believe that we, meaning me, Allen, you, your grandmother, my neighbor, your co-worker, our old science teachers, and whoever else will join us, can truly change the world. We can either go down in this lifetime as people who lived for themselves or people who lived for others.
If you desire to live for something bigger than yourself, then join us as we fight against water poverty!
- Ryan and Allen
