William Kamkwamba
A Malawian inventor who built electricity-generating windmills from scrap materials during famine
William Kamkwamba's extraordinary story began during the 2001 Malawi famine when 14-year-old William was forced to drop out of school. Using improvised materials from a local scrapyard, he constructed a windmill to power his family home - a remarkable achievement considering his limited education and resources.
His innovative spirit transformed his community in Masitala Village:
- First windmill generated 12 watts of electricity (2002)
- Subsequent versions powered water pumps and multiple homes
- Inspired similar projects across Africa
Kamkwamba's 2007 TED Talk brought global attention to African innovation. His memoir The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind became a New York Times bestseller, later adapted into a Netflix film directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor.
What makes William's story truly unique:
- Self-taught engineering through library books
- Perseverance through extreme poverty
- Grassroots approach to sustainable development