Mr. Speaker, Canada is a place that is filled with incredible and kind-hearted individuals, whose deeds are done without acknowledgement and for the benefit of others. I am proud to say that my riding of Pitt Meadows —Maple Ridge is home to many of these hidden heroes, such as George Klassen and his late wife, Sheila. They started their non-profit organization, Project Wellness, in 2006, providing clean water, education, medicine, and food to orphans in Malawi.
Last week I was invited to George's 80th birthday. Words cannot express how inspiring it was to hear his experiences. Since 2006, George has built a total of 39 wells, has taken almost 500 orphans under his care, and continues to successfully drill clean water wells. In a week's time, at the young age of 80, he is leaving to drill the first of five new wells in 2018.
I wish George good luck. He is an inspiration to me and our community. On behalf of all of Parliament, I wish him safe travels. Maybe one day I will be out there drilling a well alongside him.