In the face of famine, poverty and derision, William Kamkwamba built a windmill from scratch to generate electricity — and hope — for his family and village in Malawi. Co-author of the acclaimed book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, he tells a story that has garnered attention and inspired thousands around the world.
Kamkwamba recounted his experiences in an address to Indian Springs School (ISS) community members this morning in the school’s Concert Hall.
“In your life, you will face challenges,” Kamkwamba told the audience of ISS students, faculty, alumni, board members, parents and friends. “You must not let those challenges stop you, but let them encourage you to persevere toward what you want to achieve.”
The speaking engagement kicked off Springs’ 2011-2012 theme of “Energy and the Environment.” ISS students and faculty read The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind over the summer, and had the chance to engage Kamkwamba in classes and other opportunities, including a visit to Springs’ own windmill. Built by students from scratch, the ISS windmill is a hybrid solar/wind system that powers a 55-gallon compost tea brewer and outdoor classroom LED lights, both part of the school’s organic garden.
Kamkwamba’s visit was made possible by the school’s Goodrich Lecture Fund, created in honor of former ISS board member and alumnus parent and grandparent Henry C. Goodrich of Birmingham.
Honored by Amazon and Publishers Weekly as one of the top books of 2009, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind chronicles Kamkwamba’s life and pursuit of electricity for his home and village. Now a student at Dartmouth College, Kamkwamba is a sought-after speaker who has appeared on CNN, BBC News, The Wall Street Journal, ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” among other outlets. For more information on Kamkwamba and his book, visit www.williamkamkwamba.typepad.com.
Indian Springs School is a national leader in coed boarding and day education in grades 8-12, located 16 miles from downtown Birmingham. Founded in 1952, the mission of the school is to develop in students a love of learning, a sense of integrity and moral courage, and an ethic of participatory citizenship. For more information, visit www.indiansprings.org.
