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William Kamkwamba, Malawi

When a lack of money for school fees forced William Kamkwamba to drop out of school at age 14, he did not simply sit and wait for a miracle to come. Instead he created a miracle of his own.

Using the knowledge he could gather from two textbooks at the local library and locally-available materials costing about 2200 Malawian Kwacha (approximately $15 USD), William began constructing a five-meter tall windmill outside his family’s modest home in rural Mastala village. “They all thought that maybe I’m going mad and that maybe I am crazy,” he says. But he persevered and two months later, he had built a windmill that could power two light bulbs and a radio for his family of 20. William’s neighbors soon noticed the sounds of Malawian reggae music emanating from his home.

Now William has built a second, larger windmill that produces both alternating and direct current and allows him to charge batteries so his family and neighbors can have electricity even when the wind is not blowing. He has added solar panels, bright lighting and a deep water well to his family compound, and is replicating his work in other parts of Mastala.

After graduating from ALA, William says: “I want to build a windmill company that provides energy to people across Africa”

To watch a 5 minute video about William, press play below.