WILLIAM KAMKWAMBA

William Kamkwamba, from Malawi, is a born inventor. When he was 14, he built an electricity-producing windmill from spare parts and scrap, working from rough plans he found in a library book called Using Energy and modifying them to fit his needs. The windmill he built powers four lights and two radios in his family home. His next plan was to build a larger windmill to help with irrigation for his entire village, and to go back to school. When members of a group called ‘TED’ heard about the idea they got together to help him improve his power system through using solar energy. Since then William has gone back to school and finished his education and gone on to undertake projects that include cleaner water, malaria prevention, solar power and lighting for the six homes in his family compound; a deep-water well with a solar-powered pump for clean water; and a drip irrigation system. His story shows how with a little determination anyone can make the world they live in a better place.