George Klassen made it his mission to give clean drinking water to those most in need in Africa.
Until the day he died in January 2022, the Maple Ridge man spent years going back and forth to Malawi drilling wells in towns across the country, because he believed everyone should have clean water to drink.
Today his children have carried on his pursuit and his daughter Nadine Sands has written a children's book based on his inspiring story.
'Extraordinarily George: A story of hope, love, and clean water' was launched by Sands on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
"It is basically a biography about my dad, but it, of course includes, his and my mom's story because my mom was fully involved in the development of Project Wellness," explained Sands.
Sands' parents started 'Project Wellness' in 2005 after a trip to Malawi where they noticed women walking with large buckets of water on their heads. They learned that the women had to walk very long distances to get water for their families, and that the water was often dirty and unsafe.
The Klassens were determined to find a way to help the Malawian people.
On the journey home from his very first trip to the country, he happened to be sitting beside a driller on the plane, who had machines in the very village George had visited.
They started talking and soon after the very first well of 'Project Wellness' came to fruition.
In 2018, City of Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy, who was then Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge, took a trip to Malawi to see the work that Klassen was doing. Ruimy made Klassen the subject of a member’s statement in the House of Commons, which garnered a big round of applause from the house. This soon led to Klassen meeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in person, and being personally acknowledged for his charity work.
At the time of George's death a total of 61 wells had been drilled in the country, helping more than 50,000 men, women, and children with clean drinking water. He also managed to build: a school; a maize mill; and four orphan care centres.
Now, said Sands, through the leadership of her husband, Chris Ryan, who became the new president of 'Project Wellness,' the well count is at 79.
Ryan's first trip as president, along with George's grandson Luke and a family friend, Spencer, was to build three new wells, including one well in memory of George.
'Extraordinarily George: A story of hope, love, and clean water' has been about a decade in the making. Since first came up with the idea about the book, Sands was able to talk to her father before he passed away.
"He was honoured. He loved the idea," she said.
Sands wrote the story with help from her sister Elanna Warmerdam, and her niece, Michaela Warmerdam, a graphic artist, contributed about 25 colourful illustrations.
"Some of them make me smile so big," said Sands.
Sands will be holding a book signing from 1:30-4 p.m. at Once Upon a Tea Leaf, 11970 224 St., Maple Ridge, on Sunday, Nov. 24.
It's a book about the importance of helping others and being grateful for what we have, said Sands, whether that be helping out with a group of people on a bigger project or even just helping a neighbour or classmate.
"The people in Malawi were really grateful for anything and everything that they had. And we took running water for granted," she noted.
"It's their legacy," she said of her parents' work in Malawi, adding that she hopes the book will inspire the next generations.
