Instrument of Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind:
Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope

By - William Kamkwamba

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, Africa, a country plagued by AIDS and poverty. Like most people in his village, his family subsisted on the meager crops they could grow, living without the luxuries—consider necessities in the West—of electricity or running water. Already living on the edge, the situation became dire when, in 2002, Malawi experienced the worst famine in 50 years.

Struggling to survive, 14-year-old William was forced to drop out of school because his family could not afford the $80-a-year tuition.

Though he was not in a classroom, William continued to think, learn—and dream. Armed with curiosity, determination, and a library book he discovered in a nearby library, he embarked on a daring plan—to build a windmill that could bring his family the electricity only two percent of Malawians could afford.

Using scrap metal, tractor parts, and blue-gum trees, William forged a crude yet working windmill, an unlikely hand-built contraption that would successfully power four light bulbs and two radios in his family’s compound.

Soon, news of his invention spread, attracting interest and offers of help from around the world. Not only did William return to school but he and was offered the opportunity to visit wind farms in the United States, much like the ones he hopes to build across Africa.

A moving tale of one boy’s struggle to create a better life, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is William’s amazing story—a journey that offers hope for the lives of other Africans—and the whole world, irrefutably demonstrating that one individual can make a difference.

Bryan Mealer - Goodreads

William Butler Yeats said, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."

Young William Kamkwamba was instrumental in keeping his personal educational fire roaring. This is his story of growing up in Malawi with a loving family who during William's teen years suffer through drought and famine keeping his family destitute and unable to keep their son in school.


This does not quench William's thirst for learning. Through dedicated and monopolistic use of library books, William puts the dream of supplying his parents' home with electricity.

He builds a windmill out of scraps he found discarded or scrounged. His creativity and problem solving eventually are noticed by people who help him further his education despite many naysayers.

The quintessential story of the underdog who ultimately triumphs

Absolutely stunning story. i loved william's voice from beginning to end. i was fascinated with the culture in which he grew up, their beliefs and ways of life.

I was also very interested in the ways in which american culture seeped into that of a far-off african village. amazing. william's tenacity and hope should be emulated by everyone.

When William refused to give up, despite lack of money, then lack of food, almost to the point of starving to death, all I could think was how lucky I am. thanks for sharing your beautiful story William, I hope that sea of electric wind comes to your village soon.