Oct 7, 2009: Kamkwamba

xoxoxoBruce · 10-06-2009, 11:57 PM

Kamkwamba, William Kamkwamba, juvenile delinquent from Malawi... that's in Africa.
Yes, William was a real problem for the local officials, he kept sneaking into school. Yes, I said into school.

Quote:

At age fourteen, while many of us were sneaking out of classrooms, William was struggling to sneak into them—his family was unable to afford the $80 annual tuition. As is bound to happen to most students, he was caught. But instead of being sent to detention, he was barred from the school. In a show of the driven man he would become, he didn't allow that to hinder him and instead started spending his days in the local library. While there, he encountered a book called Using Energy:
Using Energy described how windmills could be used to generate electricity. Only two percent of Malawians have electricity, and the service is notoriously unreliable. William decided an electric windmill was something he wanted to make. Illuminating his house and the other houses in his village would mean that people could read at night after work. A windmill to pump water would mean that they could grow two crops a year rather than one, grow vegetable gardens, and not have to spend two hours a day hauling water. "A windmill meant more than just power," he wrote, "it was freedom."

He though that was a pretty cool idea, so he did.

It was crude, but it worked.

Quote:

After completing his first windmill, William "went on to wire his house with four light bulbs and two radios, installing switches made from rubber sandals, and scratch-building a circuit breaker to keep the thatch roof of his house from catching fire."

Well, he should be set now, I mean he is the electric company, after all.

But that was just the beginning...

Quote:

His project had the attention of village locals early on, but at this point he gained the attention of TED, Technology Entertainment Design, through whom he was introduced to individuals willing to contribute to his plans to "electrify, irrigate, and educate his village, as well as pay his tuition at the prestigious African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg."

Way to go, TED.

link

Eclipse · 10-07-2009, 12:50 AM

Now that's the way it's done! looks like a bright future for that young engineer -- better than milling about like most people these days. Powering his way to attention and winding up in an academy (and lighting up the neighborhood to boot). William sir, I salute you!

nil_orally · 10-07-2009, 02:22 AM

Look at him up there! Has he never heard of OH&S?

morethanpretty · 10-07-2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nil_orally

Look at him up there! Has he never heard of OH&S?

Uhm, would that be like OSHA?

Sheldonrs · 10-07-2009, 08:33 AM

Looks like he might have used the villages only public transit system to build the villages power company.

newtimer · 10-07-2009, 08:52 AM

The blades of his fan are made of dried pigs' skins.

Tawny · 10-07-2009, 09:23 AM

Makes me feel ashamed all those times I skipped school...

Shawnee123 · 10-07-2009, 10:00 AM

...

classicman · 10-07-2009, 10:37 AM

WOW! Great one Shaw.

birdclaw · 10-07-2009, 10:42 AM

Gee...now I feel like a slacker.

DanaC · 10-07-2009, 05:23 PM

Ahem: Africa 2000 years ago.

classicman · 10-07-2009, 07:22 PM

Damn Africa went downhill fast

lumberjim · 10-07-2009, 08:15 PM

isn't that a current picture of africa? of something 2000 years old?

monster · 10-07-2009, 09:00 PM

right, because only the Romans had cameras way back then.

Awesome kid.

Does anyone here believe that is it not desirable for the state to provide free aducation for all children (as long as there is an opt-out for those who prefer to and are able to educate their own or pay someone else to do so)?

classicman · 10-07-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

right, because only the Romans had cameras way back then.

snort.

10-07-2009, 02:22 AM	#3
nil_orally Larger than average member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Melbourne, Oz. Posts: 72	Look at him up there! Has he never heard of OH&S? __________________ Waiting for inspiration.....

10-07-2009, 08:33 AM	#5
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	Looks like he might have used the villages only public transit system to build the villages power company. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

10-07-2009, 10:00 AM	#8
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	... Attached Images __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

10-07-2009, 10:37 AM	#9
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	WOW! Great one Shaw. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

10-07-2009, 10:42 AM	#10
birdclaw putting the "g" in flight Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 145	Gee...now I feel like a slacker. __________________ “The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman.”

10-07-2009, 12:50 AM	#2
Eclipse Sibling of the Commonweal Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 16	Now that's the way it's done! looks like a bright future for that young engineer -- better than milling about like most people these days. Powering his way to attention and winding up in an academy (and lighting up the neighborhood to boot). William sir, I salute you!

10-07-2009, 08:52 AM	#6
newtimer Operations Operative Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 479	The blades of his fan are made of dried pigs' skins.

10-07-2009, 09:23 AM	#7
Tawny Named After the Family Dog Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: In a Howling Windy Dust Bowl Posts: 79	Makes me feel ashamed all those times I skipped school...

10-07-2009, 07:22 PM	#12
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Damn Africa went downhill fast __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

10-07-2009, 08:15 PM	#13
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	isn't that a current picture of africa? of something 2000 years old? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

10-07-2009, 09:00 PM	#14
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	right, because only the Romans had cameras way back then. Awesome kid. Does anyone here believe that is it not desirable for the state to provide free aducation for all children (as long as there is an opt-out for those who prefer to and are able to educate their own or pay someone else to do so)? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

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