William Kamkwamba is a Malawian innovator and author, best known for his book "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind." Born in 1987 in Dowa, Malawi, Kamkwamba grew up on his family's farm in Masitala Village. He was educated at Wimbe Primary School and accepted to Kanchokolo secondary school. However, due to severe famine in 2001-2002, he was forced to drop out of school because his family could not afford the annual school fees.
Undeterred, Kamkwamba began borrowing books from a local library and teaching himself about energy and electricity. Inspired by a 5th grade American textbook, "Using Energy," he decided to build a windmill to power his family's home and obviate the need for kerosene. After building a prototype, he constructed a 5-meter windmill out of spare parts and local materials, including a bicycle, tractor fan blade, and blue gum trees. The windmill successfully powered four light bulbs and two radios, and even charged neighbors' mobile phones. Kamkwamba went on to build a 12-meter windmill and has since undertaken numerous other projects, including clean water and malaria prevention initiatives, solar power installations, and a drip irrigation system.
Kamkwamba's achievements drew the attention of TEDGlobal, who invited him to speak at their conference in 2007. This led to further opportunities, including mentorship, education, and support for his projects. Kamkwamba has since spoken at several prestigious conferences and events, and his story has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The Malawi Daily Times, and L'Uomo Vogue. He has also co-authored a book, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope," which was published in 2009. Kamkwamba's story is a testament to the power of determination, innovation, and the human spirit.