William Kamkwamba

Bryan Mealer

Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

Illinois

Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land withered by drought and hunger, and a place where hope and opportunity were hard to find. But William had read about windmills in a book called Using Energy, and he dreamed of building one that would bring electricity and water to his village and change his life and the lives of those around him. His neighbors may have mocked him and called him misala—crazy—but William was determined to show them what a little grit and ingenuity could do. Enchanted by the workings of electricity as a boy, William had a goal to study science in Malawi's top boarding schools. But in 2002, his country was stricken with a famine that left his family's farm devastated and his parents destitute. Unable to pay the eighty-dollar-a-year tuition for his education, William was forced to drop out and help his family forage for food as thousands across the country starved and died. Yet William refused to let go of his dreams. With nothing more than a fistful of cornmeal in his stomach, a small pile of once-forgotten science textbooks, and an armory of curiosity and determination, he embarked on a daring plan to bring his family a set of luxuries that only two percent of Malawians could afford and what the West considers a necessity—electricity and running water. Using scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves, William forged a crude yet operable windmill, an unlikely contraption and small miracle that eventually powered four lights, complete with homemade switches and a circuit breaker made from nails and wire. A second machine turned a water pump that could battle the drought and famine that loomed with every season. Soon, news of William's magetsi a mphepo—his "electric wind"—spread beyond the borders of his home, and the boy who was once called crazy became an inspiration to those around the world. Here is the remarkable story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

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Young Readers Edition

After his African village was hit by a drought, 14-year-old William Kamkwamba learned about electrical windmills at a small library, and after weeks of foraging for junk parts, he did the incredible. Full color.

Category - Non Fiction / Biography & Autobiography

Format - Hardcover

Condition - Good

Listed - 3 months ago

Views - 4

Wishes - 1

Ships From - Illinois

Est. Publication Date - Sep 2009

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Category - Non Fiction / Biography & Autobiography

Format - Hardcover

Condition - Good

Listed - 3 months ago

Views - 4

Wishes - 1

Ships From - Illinois

Est. Publication Date - Sep 2009

Additional Information

Publisher Description

Tags

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

By: ,

$2.50

Condition

Format

Meet the seller

Discover more

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

By: William Kamkwamba

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