Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Add Upworthy to your Google News feed.
Google News Button

Access to clean drinking water is something many take for granted, but for millions around the world, it’s a daily struggle. Actor Matt Damon, who has long been an advocate for clean water initiatives, experienced a life-changing moment during a visit to Haiti when he met a 13-year-old girl whose response to a simple question shattered his assumptions.

In an interview with HuffPost Live, Damon reflected on the conversation that transformed how he viewed the global water crisis—not just in terms of survival, but what it means for a child’s life.



- YouTubewww.youtube.com

A visit to Haiti that changed everything

During his trip, Damon helped christen a new water system in a small Haitian village, where he met a young girl whose life had just been transformed by easy access to clean water.

"I talked to this little girl, she was 13 and… my oldest was 13 at the time, so I was really interested to talk to her," Damon recalled.

Curious about how the new water system had affected her daily routine, he asked:

"How much time were you spending every day collecting water?"

Her answer? Three hours.

Representative photo by Canva


An unexpected response that changed his view

Realizing she now had three extra hours every day, Damon assumed she would use the time for education or homework.

"So like, what are you going to do now? You're going to have more time for homework?" he asked.

But her answer caught him completely off guard.

"I don't need more time for homework," she replied. "I'm the smartest kid in my class."

media1.tenor.com

More than survival—gaining back childhood

Her confidence made it clear she was telling the truth, and Damon was impressed. But when he asked what she would do with all her extra time, her response hit him hard.

"I'm going to play."

That answer stayed with him.

"It was like, it was devastating, you know, but wonderful that this kid was going to have a better quality of life," Damon reflected.

For so many children, the simple joy of play isn’t an option—it’s replaced by survival tasks like fetching water for hours each day.

"It really drives home the point that there are hundreds of millions of children for whom that's not an option, and they're just scavenging for water with all the time that they have here on Earth," he added.

Representative Image Source: Pexels | Kelly

Viewers react: ‘Play should never be sacrificed’

The story resonated deeply with viewers, who took to the comment section to share their thoughts on the importance of play and childhood freedom.

mage Source: YouTube | @kiribundi

@tinahuston995 pointed out how often people take basic needs for granted:

"That's great. Play is an important part of learning for all of us. Doesn't matter your age. It was healthy for this girl that she learned to carry water, too. Many of us here in the States are exceptionally spoiled and we let ourselves become complacent to the world around us... meaning our environment, politics, food supply and a host of other issues."

Others noted how society tends to undervalue play, with @BuGGyBoBerl writing:


"That girl is amazing. We all are like, 'Hey, you get more free time, how do you use it (meaningful)? Do you work more?' Not using it for work or similar things means it's wasted somehow. That's really sad. People seem to forget what we all work for. A better and happier life."
— @BuGGyBoBerl

Meanwhile, @danielwarren7110 reflected on how play is often sacrificed in all cultures, writing:

"The sad reality is 'play' is usually the first thing sacrificed no matter the country, 'I need to work harder for my kids' sacrifice play with the kids, 'I have more responsibility' sacrifice play, 'I am an adult now' sacrifice play... and in emerging market countries/developing nations 'need to get water.' Parents know education is important and want a better life for their children so again play is sacrificed."

Image Source: YouTube | @Tamaresque

A simple question with a profound impact

For Matt Damon, the conversation was a powerful reminder that providing basic necessities like clean water does more than just improve survival—it gives children their childhoods back.

Because in the end, while education is important, so is being a kid.

media1.tenor.com

More For You

A cup full of chocolate kisses.

Chocolates are sweet, but this promposal might be sweeter.

Teen's braille promposal to blind girlfriend resurfaces, and it's still melting hearts

Prom season is often a time for creativity and big gestures, but one teen’s unique idea has raised the bar entirely. A promposal (prom + proposal) involving braille, chocolate, and a whole lot of thoughtfulness is making waves on social media years after it first happened. The story of Jake Schwartz and Paige Drury isn’t just a tale of young love—it’s a beautiful example of how a little extra effort can make someone feel truly valued.

In the video, Schwartz asks Drury to read a message he created using Hershey’s Kisses. As her fingers glide over the candies, she begins to spell it out, "Wait, that's a 'P'...'R'...'O'..." before realizing what it says and gasping with joy. She then happily accepts the invitation to prom, a moment that was met with applause from friends who were present.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pregnant mom asks for first-class seats, gets a reality check the internet couldn’t wait to deliver
Representative photo by Canva

Pregnant mom asks for first-class seats, gets a reality check the internet couldn’t wait to deliver

Flying with a young child isn't always smooth sailing, especially when it comes to seating arrangements. A soon-to-be mother, known online as Deekaytwo, found herself turning to the internet for advice after wondering if it was fair to ask front-row passengers to swap seats so she could sit with her toddler. But the reaction she got online was anything but supportive.

Representative Image Source: Pexels | Oleksandr P

Keep ReadingShow less
Images from a baby name reveal.

The moment this mom realized her daughter's name had a hidden Batman connection.

They picked the perfect baby name—until a movie changed everything

When it comes to baby names, parents pull inspiration from all sorts of places—family history, beloved books, even favorite meals. But sometimes, a name carries a hidden meaning that only one parent is in on. That’s exactly what happened to TikTok user @viashoe, whose daughter's name has a secret connection to Batman that she didn’t discover until well after the birth.

A casual Thanksgiving reveal

In a now-viral TikTok, @viashoe shared the moment the puzzle pieces fell into place. While spending Thanksgiving with her husband’s family, they decided to watch Batman: The Animated Series—a classic from the '90s that's known for its dark tone and emotionally complex characters. As the show played in the background, someone in the family was entertaining their baby girl when a familiar voice on the screen said, “My wife, Nora…”

Keep ReadingShow less
Manager forbids wage talk—employees hilariously post their salaries on company notice board
Representative image by Canva

Manager forbids wage talk—employees hilariously post their salaries on company notice board

Navigating corporate life isn't easy, especially when managers impose questionable rules on employees. A recent incident at a Planet Fitness in Kentucky highlighted how some managers misunderstand labor rights, particularly regarding salary discussions. Employees brilliantly confronted their manager after he attempted to forbid wage discussions—both at and outside the workplace.


Keep ReadingShow less
Identical twins separated at birth had dramatically different IQs in Korea and US
Representative photo by Canva

Identical twins separated at birth had dramatically different IQs in Korea and US

Twins typically fascinate us because of their incredible similarities. But sometimes, what makes identical twins truly intriguing are their surprising differences. A recent study in Science Direct highlighted exactly this, following the astonishing reunion of identical twin sisters separated as toddlers and raised in completely different cultures.


Keep ReadingShow less