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.
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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."
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:
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.
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