William Kamkwamba: 'How I Harnessed the Wind' (TED Talks, 2009)

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker from Malawi recounts his journey from being an illiterate farmer to creating a life-changing windmill. After a famine forced him to drop out of school, he taught himself physics from library books and built a windmill from scrap materials to pump water and generate electricity. His invention not only transformed his village but also brought him international recognition, highlighting the power of determination and self-belief.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker is from Malawi and had limited exposure to technology and the outside world before creating a simple machine that changed his life.
• 🌾 He was initially a simple farmer in a country with poor farmers and faced severe famine in 2001, which led to his family eating only one meal a day.
• 📚 Due to hunger, he was forced to drop out of school but was determined to continue his education by reading science books, especially physics, in a library.
• 🛠️ He learned about windmills from a book and decided to build one himself to provide irrigation and electricity, using materials from a scrapyard.
• 🔧 Despite being called crazy by many, including his mother, he successfully built a windmill that powered lights and a water pump, benefiting his community.
• 📡 His invention attracted attention, leading to media coverage, bloggers, and eventually an invitation to speak at TED.
• ✈️ The speaker's journey included many firsts, such as flying on an airplane and staying in a hotel, highlighting the transformative impact of his invention.
• 🗣️ He struggled with English during his TED talk but managed to convey his message, which was about perseverance and self-belief.
• 🙏 He encourages others, especially those in Africa and the poor who are struggling with their dreams, to trust themselves and never give up.
• 👏 His story was met with applause, indicating the audience's appreciation for his resilience and innovation.
• 🌟 The speaker's narrative is a powerful example of how determination and resourcefulness can overcome adversity and inspire others.

Q & A

What significant event took place two years prior to the speaker's current speech?

The speaker had previously stood on the T stage in Arusha, Tanzania, and briefly mentioned one of their proudest creations.

What was the speaker's background before they became involved with their creation?

The speaker was a simple farmer in Malawi who had never been away from home, used a computer, or seen the internet.

What was the speaker's family situation?

The speaker comes from a family of seven children, all of whom are sisters.

What crisis did Malawi face in 2001 that affected the speaker's family?

In 2001, Malawi experienced a severe famine, which led to the speaker's family eating only one meal per day.

Why did the speaker have to drop out of secondary school?

The speaker had to drop out of secondary school due to the hunger caused by the famine, as they could not afford the school fees.

What was the speaker's motivation for seeking education despite the hardships?

The speaker was determined to receive education to change their future and the dry fields they saw as their only prospect.

How did the speaker learn about science, particularly physics, given their limited English skills?

The speaker learned about science by reading books, especially physics, using diagrams and pictures to understand the words around them.

What materials did the speaker use to build their windmill machine?

The speaker used materials found in a scrapyard, including a tractor fan, PVC pipes, a bicycle frame, and an old bicycle dynamo.

What were the initial outcomes of the speaker's windmill machine?

The windmill machine initially provided light for one room and later expanded to four lights with switches and a circuit breaker.

How did the speaker's invention impact their community?

The invention attracted people from the community to charge their mobile phones and led to increased media attention, including bloggers and a call from TED.

What message did the speaker convey to people who are struggling with their dreams, particularly those from Africa and the poor?

The speaker encouraged people to trust themselves, believe in their abilities, and not to give up on their dreams, no matter what happens.