He is only nine years of age but Ryan is making the most of his spare time helping people less fortunate – and making other aware of his idea.
As a member of his school’s student representative council, he is kicking off fundraisers across several schools, to drive an educational donation project, Coins For Kids.
It all started two years ago, when Ryan and his family went to Romania to experience a day in a life of a student.
The Lilli Pilli Public School year 3 pupil was inspired during his travels, when he saw how children in global classrooms worked with minimal teaching resources.
So with the support of his relative’s foundation, the Donald Regan For a Better Life Foundation, he decided to make a difference.
The foundation aims to improve access to education for under-resourced schools in Romania.
It is named after Ryan’s great-grandfather, who helped St Vincent De Paul Society for the past 65 years. He also received an Order of Australia medal for his contributions to the community.
Funds Ryan raises will go towards the foundation, which will purchase materials and technology for the schools overseas.
So far, he asked Connells Point, Bald Face, Loftus and Peakhurst public schools to join his project, and they have all showed interest in jumping on board the initiative.
The idea is to collect gold coins on a mufti day, when children dress up in the colours of the Romanian flag (blue, red and yellow).
Ryan will also be given the opportunity to again visit some of the schools in January, meet the students and see how the project can change the lives of many children.
He would also like to provide soccer balls, netballs, and other sporting equipment to the schools.
“I would like to not only provide educational supplies for the classroom, but also the fun side of education for the outdoors,” he said.
