Storytime: "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Summary

In 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,' Miss Renee narrates the inspiring true story of William Kamkwamba, a young boy from Malawi who, despite poverty and famine, dreams of building a windmill to bring electricity and water to his village. Using found materials and a library's science books, he overcomes skepticism and challenges to create a functioning windmill, symbolizing the power of innovation and resilience in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

• 📚 The book 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind' is a true story written by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer.
• 🌍 Set in Malawi, it tells the tale of a young boy who, despite poverty, dreams of building things and learning about science.
• 🌑 The village faces severe drought and famine, leading to a lack of food and forcing William's family to eat only one meal a day.
• 🏫 William is forced to drop out of school due to the family's financial struggles.
• 📖 He finds solace and knowledge in the local library, where he learns about engines, radios, and windmills.
• 🌬 William gets inspired by the idea that windmills can produce electricity and pump water, which could help his drought-stricken village.
• 🛠️ He embarks on a project to build a windmill from scrap materials, facing skepticism and ridicule from his community.
• 🔨 With the help of his cousin and best friend, William constructs a windmill tower using local resources like blue gum trees.
• 💡 His windmill succeeds in producing electricity, lighting a bulb and earning the admiration of his community.
• 🌱 William envisions a future where windmills can irrigate the fields and feed his country, using renewable energy to combat hunger.
• 🌟 The real-life William Kamkwamba's story gained international attention, leading to educational opportunities and the installation of a solar-powered water pump in his village.

Q & A

Who is the author of 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind'?

The book is written by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer.

What is the main theme of the book?

The main theme of the book is the true story of a young boy in Africa who builds a windmill to bring power to his village.

What does the book emphasize about William's character?

The book emphasizes William's creativity, problem-solving skills, and determination to improve the conditions of his village.

Why did nightfall come quickly in William's village?

Nightfall came quickly in William's village because people had no money for lights.

What was William's dream as a child?

William dreamed of building things and taking them apart, such as trucks with bottle cap wheels and pieces of a radio.

What was the impact of the lack of rain on the village?

The lack of rain led to scorched fields, turning the maize into dust, causing hunger and starvation in Malawi.

Why did William have to drop out of school?

William had to drop out of school because his family could no longer afford it due to the economic hardship caused by the drought.

How did William educate himself after dropping out of school?

William educated himself by visiting the library and reading science books, using an English dictionary to understand the content.

What was the significance of the windmill in William's vision for his village?

The windmill was significant because it could produce electricity to bring light to the village and pump water to irrigate the fields, fighting hunger.

What materials did William use to build the windmill?

William used materials like a tractor fan, rusted bottle caps, plastic pipe, and a small generator to build the windmill.

How did the villagers react to William's windmill project?

Initially, the villagers called him 'masala' (crazy) and teased him, but after the windmill worked, they clapped and cheered.

What recognition did William receive for his achievements?

In 2007, William was discovered by journalists and invited to speak at a TED conference in Tanzania.

What was the outcome of the donations William received after his TED talk?

The donations helped send William back to school and install a solar-powered water pump that irrigates his father's fields.

Why are renewable resources like wind energy important according to the book?

Renewable resources like wind energy are important because they offer sustainable solutions to energy needs and can contribute to solving problems like hunger and poverty.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Inspiring Tale of Innovation: 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind'

In this video script, Miss Renee introduces the audience to the inspiring true story of 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,' written by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. Set in Malawi, the narrative follows the journey of a young boy, William, who, despite the harsh realities of poverty and famine, dreams of harnessing the power of the wind to bring electricity and water to his village. His curiosity and inventive spirit lead him to build a windmill from scrap materials, which not only illuminates his home but also symbolizes hope and the potential of renewable energy. The story emphasizes the importance of creativity and initiative in solving community problems, especially in the face of adversity.

05:01

🌪 Triumph Over Adversity: William's Windmill and Its Impact

The second paragraph delves deeper into the life of William Kamkwamba, the real-life hero behind the book. After dropping out of school due to financial constraints, William's resourcefulness led him to the library, where he educated himself on science and engineering. His determination to build a windmill using a car battery and scrap materials eventually paid off, as it powered light bulbs and later a water pump, transforming his family's farm and life in his village. The story concludes with William's recognition at a TED conference in Tanzania, which led to further support for his education and the installation of a solar-powered water pump. The paragraph highlights the power of education, innovation, and the human spirit to overcome challenges and effect change.

Keywords

💡Windmill

A windmill is a structure that converts the energy of wind into mechanical energy. In the video's narrative, the windmill is a pivotal invention by the protagonist, William, who uses it to harness wind power to generate electricity and pump water in his drought-stricken village. It symbolizes innovation and the power of renewable energy to combat environmental challenges.

💡Malawi

Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. The video's setting is crucial as it provides the backdrop for the story, highlighting the challenges faced by the people due to drought and poverty. The story of William's windmill is set against the real-life struggles of Malawians, making it a testament to resilience and resourcefulness.

💡Renewable Energy

Renewable energy refers to energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, water, and sunlight. The video emphasizes the importance of renewable energy through the story of the windmill, showcasing how it can be a sustainable solution to energy and water scarcity issues.

💡Innovation

Innovation is the process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay. In the script, William's creation of the windmill is a prime example of innovation, as he devises a solution to his community's lack of electricity and water using locally available materials.

💡Drought

Drought is a period of unusually low precipitation, leading to a shortage of water. The script describes the dire effects of drought in Malawi, where the lack of rain causes crops to fail and leads to widespread hunger. This environmental issue is central to the video's theme, driving the narrative and the need for the windmill.

💡Education

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits. In the video, William's education is interrupted by financial constraints, but his curiosity and access to the library enable him to learn about science and engineering, which are instrumental in his invention of the windmill.

💡Problem Solving

Problem solving is the process of finding solutions to problems. The video's main theme revolves around William's ability to identify the problem of water scarcity and lack of electricity in his village and his creative approach to solving it through the construction of a windmill.

💡Hunger

Hunger is the uncomfortable or painful feeling caused by a lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat. The script vividly describes the impact of hunger on the people of Malawi, which is a direct result of the drought and is a key motivator for William's efforts to build the windmill to improve the situation.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people living in the same place or having particular characteristics in common. In the video, the community's support and eventual understanding of William's project are crucial to its success, illustrating the power of collective effort and shared goals.

💡Magic

In the context of the video, 'magic' refers to the traditional beliefs and stories that William's grandfather shares with him, which inspire his curiosity and imagination. Although magic does not solve the village's problems, it sparks William's inventive spirit, leading him to find a practical solution through science and engineering.

💡TED Conference

The TED Conference is a series of events where speakers share 'ideas worth spreading' in various fields, including technology, entertainment, and design. In the script, William's invitation to speak at a TED conference in Tanzania is a turning point, as it brings his story to a global audience and leads to further support for his project.

Highlights

Introduction of the book 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind' by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer.

The book is based on a true story about a young boy in Africa who builds a windmill to bring power to his village.

The setting is in a small village in Malawi where people had no money for lights and nightfall came quickly.

William's dreams of building things and his curiosity about how things work, such as trucks and radios.

The impact of drought on the village, leading to food scarcity and the need to adapt to one meal per day.

William's father's decision to make him drop out of school due to financial difficulties.

William's discovery of the library and his self-education using science books and a dictionary.

His realization that windmills can produce electricity and pump water, leading to an idea to help his village.

William's determination to build a windmill despite the community's skepticism and calling him 'masala', meaning crazy.

The process of gathering materials from a junkyard and the challenges faced in building the windmill.

The construction of the windmill tower using blue gum trees and the community's mixed reactions.

The successful operation of the windmill, producing electricity and bringing light to the village.

The broader implications of the windmill for William's village, providing a solution to hunger and drought.

The real-life story of William Kamkwamba, his background, and the impact of his windmill invention.

William's recognition and invitation to speak at a TED conference in Tanzania, leading to further support for his projects.

The installation of a solar-powered water pump, thanks to donations, which irrigates the fields and supports agriculture.

The importance of renewable resources like wind energy and the inspiration of William's story for creative problem-solving.

An invitation for readers to share their thoughts, learnings, and suggestions for future book readings.

Transcripts

[Music]

hi

everyone miss renee here from pasadena

water empower

today we're going to be reading the book

the boy who harnessed the wind

this book is written by william

kumquamba and brian mieler

this book is actually a true story which

is what i love most about it

it's about a young boy in africa who

builds a windmill so he can bring power

to his village

so let's get settled in find a comfy

spot whether you're inside your house or

outside in the yard

let's get cozy and ready to read

together all right let's get started

the boy who harnessed the wind

in a small village in malawi where

people had no money for lights

nightfall came quickly and hurried poor

farmers to bed

but for william the darkness was best

for dreaming

he dreamed of building things and taking

them apart

like the trucks with bottle cap wheels

parked under his bed

and pieces of radio that he'd cracked

open and wondered if i can hear the

music then where is the band

his grandpa's tales of magic also

whispered in the pitch black of his room

which planes passed through the windows

while ghost dancers twirled around the

room

as if a hundred men were inside their

bodies

at dawn in the fields william scanned

the maze rose for magical beings

and then wondered as a truck rumbled

past how does its engine make it go

pay attention where you throw that hoe

his father shouted you'll cut off your

foot

so here's william working in the fields

for all its power over dancers and

flying things

magic could not bring the rain and

without water the sun rose angry each

morning and scorched the fields

turning the maze into dust and without

food

malawi began to starve

soon william's father gathered the

children and said from now on we eat

only one

meal per day make it last and in the

evenings they sat around the lantern and

ate their handful

watching hungry people pass like spirits

along the roads

this is them eating money also

disappeared with the rain

papani his father said i'm sorry you

will have to drop out of school

and now william stood on the road and

watched the lucky students pass

alone with the monster in his belly and

the lump in his throat

and for weeks he sulked under the mango

tree

until he remembered the library down the

road a gift from the americans

he found science books filled with

brilliant pictures and with his english

dictionary close by william put together

how engines moved those big trucks and

how radios pulled their music from the

sky

but the greatest picture of all was a

machine taller than the tallest tree

with blades like a fan

a giant pinwheel something to catch

magic

and slowly he built the sentence

windmills can produce electricity

and pump water he closed his eyes and

saw a windmill outside his home

pulling electricity from the breeze and

bringing light to the dark valley

and he saw the machine drawing cool

water from the ground

sending it gushing through the thirsty

fields turning the maze tall

and green even when the farmer's prayers

for rain went unanswered

this windmill was more than a machine it

was a weapon to fight

hunger magetsi amatheo he whispered

i will build electric wind

in the junkyard pieces appeared like

rusted treasure in the tall grass

a tractor fan some pipe and bearings and

bolts that required

every muscle to remove tonga he'd shout

to the birds and spiders holding up his

prize

but as william drang his medals home

people called out

this boy is masala only crazy people

played with trash

after many weeks william arranged his

pieces in the dirt

a broken bicycle rusted bottle caps and

plastic pipe

even a small generator that powered a

headlight on a bike

and for three days he bolted banged and

tinkered while chickens squawked and

dogs barked and neighbors shook their

heads saying

what's masala doing now

his cousin jeffrey and best friend

gilbert soon appeared

mulibonji they greeted can we help with

electric wind

grab your pangas and follow me he said

and took them into the forest

and together they swung their sharp

blades into the trunks of blue gum tree

blue gum trees they hammered them

together to make the tower

and standing atop william shouted bring

it up while the boys tugged and heaved

a crowd gathered below and gazed at the

strange machine

that now leaned and wobbled like a

clumsy giraffe

some giggles others teased but william

waited for the

wind like always it came

first a breeze then a gusting gale

and the tower swayed and the blades spun

round

oh it's working with sore hands once

slowed by hunger and darkness

william connected wires to a small bulb

which flickered at first

then surged as bright as the sun tonga

he shouted i have made electric

wind oh look at that

a man yelled well done as the doubters

clapped and cheered william knew he had

just begun

light could not fill empty bellies but

another windmill could soak the dry

ground

creating food where once there was none

electric wind can feed my country

william thought

and that was the strongest magic of all

the end so the back of this book

actually tells us all about

william cumba who is a real person and

the author

and hero of our book he was born in 1987

and like many people in maui and the

rest of the sub-saharan africa

william's father tribal was a farmer

so they grew corn that's maze when we

hear the word maize we're talking about

corn

and when he could no longer go to school

william did have to drop out

but instead of sulking around he began

visiting a library

and there he found books on science and

even though he didn't speak good english

he used the dictionaries to learn them

and that's where he did get the idea of

the windmill

this is all a true story and when

william finally was able to

you know power that windmill with a car

battery it allowed him to put light

bulbs in his parents home even

his dream of pumping water wasn't

achieved until several years later

but it did come true and in 2007 william

was

discovered by some journalists and

invited to speak at a ted conference in

tanzania

he'd never been in an airplane or even

seen the internet

and people were moved by his story and

donated money to

not only help send him back to school

but also to install a solar-powered

water pump

that irrigates his father's fields so

that is the story of william kumquambi

and the boy who harnessed the wind

i hope you enjoyed that book as much as

i did renewable resources like wind

energy are a really important part of

our future

what i love most is that williams saw a

need in his village and he took the

initiative and was creative about

problem solving

you can do that too if you liked the

book please let me know i want to hear

from you

write me a letter draw me a picture send

me an email

let me know what you thought what you

learned from the book what you liked

and if there's other books you'd like us

to read together have a great day

[Music]

you