William Kamkwamba Creates Windmill

School Drop Out in Malawi Creates Electricity for His Family

© Sandra Williams

William on his windmill , William Kamkwamba's blog

An amazing story about a young man named William from Malawi Africa who was forced to drop out of school yet created a windmill so his home would have electricity.

Nineteen-year-old William Kamkwamba from Kasungu Malawi in Africa did not let the fact that he could not continue his schooling in 2002 stop him from learning. His family was unable to pay the school fees required but William obtained books from Wimbe Teachers Development Centre (TDC) so was able to continue pursuing his interest in science.

The books were donated through a teacher-training program called Malawi Teacher Training Activity (MTTA). One book in particular was about energy and included instructions on how to design a windmill. Dr. Hartford Mchazime, deputy head of MTTA came to William's village to see his windmill and was so impressed that he not only invited the media to report about him but arranged for his schooling to be covered by the government.

The story received more publicity thanks to Malawian blogger Soyapi Mumba and continued through to other blogs such as Hactivate, White African, AfriGadget and others. Emeka Okafor who is the curator of TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Global Conference invited William to attend with him in Aursha, Tanzania where he was well received.

Since the conference, William was introduced to the internet and now has an email address as well as a successful blog with the help of his American mentor. He recently rewired his home so it could be powered by his upgraded windmill. He continues to update us on his latest projects and is presently working on wiring his home with solar power along with his team from National Solar and Power. If you are interested in reading more about the young man and genius William Kamkwamba, check out his blog. Although there is no obligation, he now also has a paypal donation button. Donations would go towards his latest projects, education and expenses for his family such as food, clothes and health care.

Sources:

William Kamkwambas Malawi Windmill Blog, 2007 Malawi’s The Nation , Behold the Scientist from Malawi, July 2, 2007 School Dropout Invents Windmill Electricity, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, November 20, 2006, Tom Rielly, email, July 2007


The copyright of the article William Kamkwamba Creates Windmill in Anti-Poverty Activism is owned by Sandra Williams. Permission to republish William Kamkwamba Creates Windmill must be granted by the author in writing.


William Kamkwamba's Windmill, William Kamkwamba's blog
William and Peter testing motor, William Kamkwamba's blog
William on his windmill , William Kamkwamba's blog
   


Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo