William Kamkwamba: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

[Larry Jacks]

I first read about William Kamkwamba a year or so ago but found a new article about him today (http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/kamwamba-windmill/). He's a remarkable young man who lived in abject poverty in one of Africa's poorest nations. At age 14, when his family was no longer able to pay his $80 tuition, he had the inspiration to build a windmill to generate electricity. Using little more than a photo from a book, primitive tools, and a keen intellect, William built his first windmill. In time, his creativity caught the attention of the world. Today, William is 22 years old and has received international attention, schlorships, and has a well-reviewed book (http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Harnessed-Wind-Electricity/dp/0061730327/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243745327&sr=8-3) about him for sale with a documentary (http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Harnessed-Wind-Electricity/dp/0061730327/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243745327&sr=8-3) in the works. Click on the links to see an exerpt from the documentary. If that doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will.

Harnessing the genius of young people like William Kamkwamba will change the lives of perhaps millions of people. He has already improved the lives of his family and fellow villagers. Given the conditions, how many of us could've accomplished what he did?

[Swift]

I had read about him elsewhere. Just about when I've lost all hope for our species, a person like this comes along and rekindles my hope.

[KaiYeves]

I had read about him elsewhere. Just about when I've lost all hope for our species, a person like this comes along and rekindles my hope.
Indeed.

[mugaliens]

Harnessing the genius of young people like William Kamkwamba will change the lives of perhaps millions of people. He has already improved the lives of his family and fellow villagers. Given the conditions, how many of us could've accomplished what he did?

I don't get it - I see the ordinary rising above and doing the extraordinary all the time, from the woman in N.O. who cleaned up a housing project to an average airman who organized various events and spearheaded projects well above and beyond to a local lady who leverages her sizeable (2,000+ members) Meetup groups towards various charitable events, to...

Unsung Heroes (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=list+of+unsung+heroes&aq=0&oq=list+of+unsung+heroe&aqi=g1)

Kudos to William! He's definately risen above the challenge and has made a difference!

Fortunately, there are a lot of Williams out there.

[Ara Pacis]

It's places like this where renewable energy might make the biggest contributions to the local use of fossile fuels. Are there no global green charities trying to set up windmills or solar panels to help such locations? Or is it cheaper to give them food instead of the means to produce their own... or will the water pumping deplete the ground water? Will Kamkwamba be known, in 30 years, as the boy who ruined the village?