William Kamkwamba
Self-taught (later Dartmouth College) · Moving Windmills Project
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Powered His Village
9 March 2026
William Kamkwamba grew up in Wimbe, Malawi, where a devastating famine forced his family to drop him out of school because they couldn't afford the $80 annual fee. Determined to learn, he snuck into the library and found a book called "Using Energy."
Building from Scrap
At 14, using blue gum trees, bicycle parts, and materials from a scrapyard, Kamkwamba built a windmill that generated enough electricity to power four lights and two radios in his family's house. Villagers initially thought he was crazy.
Global Recognition
A blogger discovered his story and it went viral. Kamkwamba was invited to speak at TED, where his talk became one of the most watched in TED history. His memoir "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" became a bestseller and a Netflix film.
From Malawi to Dartmouth
Kamkwamba received a scholarship to Dartmouth College and later founded the Moving Windmills Project, which builds renewable energy and water systems in Malawi. His story shows that innovation doesn't require money or a degree — just curiosity, resourcefulness, and determination.
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