The boy who harnessed the wind

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. And he has a new best-of writing collection and “lazy man’s memoir,” called Borg Like Me.

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August 4th, 2009 4

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Here’s a charming, inspiring little intro to the documentary about William Kamkwamba, the Malawian teen who got a book out of the library on windmills (which had pictures of the them, but no tech details) and figured out how to build his own to bring electrical power to his family.

William will be participating in Maker Faire Africa.

William Kamkwamba is Coming to Maker Faire Africa

4 thoughts on “The boy who harnessed the wind”

Rick says:

August 4th, 2009 at 9:16 pm

This is so amazing.. that kid is awesome and this is so inspiring. I can’t put into words how happy this has made me, seeing someone turn absolutely nothing and junk into something so useful.
jane says:

October 2nd, 2009 at 4:19 am

This is just a fantastic story and shows what drive and determination can achieve. William is an inspiration to us all.

For a number of years I have worked with an NGO which uses simple technology to help people out of poverty.

We have seen women start their own hairdressing salons once small micro hydro schemes have been installed,allowing them to start their own businesses and keeping wealth within their village, Maasai women’s group deciding to lobby their local authorities on isssues. But even better – people and communities sharing their knowledge and enjoying a better quality of life. It just goes to show that ‘small is beautiful’

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The boy who harnessed the wind

By Gareth Branwyn