Spark Lessons in January

This month students will get an opportunity to look at other kids who are living their spark every day and helping others while doing it!

Below are two kids students will be learning about.  For more information and links to their foundations, please go to the MORE ABOUT SPARKS page.

Hannah Taylor, The Ladybug Foundation

When Hannah was 5, she saw a man eating out of a garbage can on a frozen winter day.  Hannah was immediately filled with sadness and questions.   “Why, why, why?” she asked.  “If everyone shared what they had, could that cure homelessness?”  Since that defining moment, Hannah has learned about hunger and homelessness.  Where society sees a problem, Hannah sees a person.  By 8, Hannah had founded The Ladybug Foundation Inc., a registered charity, and had become the innocent face of the homeless.

Ryan Hreljac, Ryan’s Well Foundation

The Ryan’s Well Foundation grew from the commitment of one boy, Ryan Hreljac, who learned of the great need for clean and safe water in developing countries in his 1st grade class.  With the support of friends, family and the community, Ryan raised enough money to build a well in Africa.  In 1999, at age seven, Ryan’s first well was built at Angolo Primary School in northern Uganda.  To this day, the well continues to serve the community.  Although Ryan started raising for water projects in 1998, the Foundation was not formed until 2001.  Since then, Ryan’s Well has helped build over 720 wells and 910 latrines bringing safe water and improved sanitation to over 760,500 people.

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Supporting Your Children’s Sparks:

It’s great when young people explore and identify their sparks, but they also need caring adults to support them in their exploration.


Here are few ideas on how to support:

Encourage Me

Talk with me and give me new ideas

Challenge me

Remind me to be positive and optimistic

Help me get to the library

Show me how to build things and figure things out

Introduce me to caring adults who can help me with my spark

Help me practice or train

Read my stories and poetry

Go with me into nature

Help me not to be bored

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