The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
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Narrated by:
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Chike Johnson
About this listen
Now a major motion pictured directed by and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor - Available on Netflix.
When William Kamkwamba was just 14 years old, his family told him that he must leave school and come home to work on the farm - they could no longer afford his fees. This is his story of how he found a way to make a difference, how he brought light to his family and village and hope to his nation.
Malawi is a country battling AIDS, drought and famine, and in 2002 a season of floods, followed by the most severe famine in 50 years, brought it to its knees. Like the majority of the population, William's family were farmers. They were totally reliant on the maize crop. By the end of 2001, after many lean and difficult years, there was no more crop. They were running out of food - had nothing to sell - and had months until they would be able to harvest their crop again.
Forced to leave school at 14 years old, with no hope of raising the funds to go again, William resorted to borrowing books from the small local library to continue his education. One day, browsing the titles, he picked up a book about energy, with a picture of a wind turbine on the front cover. Fascinated by science and electricity, but knowing little more about the technology, William decided to build his own. Ridiculed by those around him, and exhausted from his work in the fields every day, and using nothing more than bits of scrap metal, old bicycle parts and wood from the blue gum tree, he slowly built his very own windmill.
This windmill has changed the world in which William and his family live. Only 2 percent of Malawi has electricity; William's windmill now powers the light bulbs and radio for his compound. He has since built more windmills for his school and his village.
When news of William's invention spread, people from across the globe offered to help him. Soon he was re-enrolled in college and travelling to America to visit wind farms. This is his incredible story.
William's dream is that other Africans will learn to help themselves - one windmill and one light bulb at a time - and that maybe one day they will be able to power their own computers, and use the internet, and see for themselves how his life has changed after picking up that book in the library.
©2019 William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers LimitedListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is the inspiring story of a young man in Africa who used the only resources available to him to build a windmill and elevate the lives and spirits of those in his community. William Kamkwamba's achievements with wind energy should serve as a model of what one person, with an inspired idea, can do to tackle the crisis we face. His book tells a moving and exciting story." (Al Gore, former Vice President and Nobel Laureate)
"A moving, touching, important story. One more reminder of...how powerful the human spirit can be." (Seth Godin, author)
"William is one of the bright young stars of the future and serves as an inspiration for other young people who want to know what they can do to help.” (Bishop Desmond Tutu)
What listeners say about The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr. Ian Kenyon
- 18-10-24
Heart warming
Listened to this book on a long bus journey across Madagascar. The background to life in Africa really helped me understand more about the many things I observed through the windows. This amazing story has wonderful narration and I now absolutely must watch the film.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- M. Smith
- 02-10-22
Wonderful and inspiring story.
A beautiful book that is well constructed. Wonderful and inspiring story, which all students should read. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Yozora0ryuu
- 04-12-22
Loved the information afterwards
The one thing I liked the most about the book was that. it didn't just stop after "William" created the windmill. It continued and told us more about how he tried other things, which he wasn't always successful with and also what happened to him afterwards. it wasn't just a "He created the windmill and lived happily ever after".
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs. Elizabeth Lambert
- 06-05-23
Never give up on your dreams
A thought-provoking and enjoyable story of a boy's experience of growing up in Malawi. How against the odds he brought free electricity to his community. A great listen highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Alison Gee
- 11-10-22
Totally inspirational
An incredible and inspiring story, and brilliantly read. What an amazing boy. Totally recommend listening!
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- D. D. Pianta
- 21-05-20
Fantastic and so moving
such an inspiration, what a story. it really moved me! well done young man, you so deserve all the success in the world!
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- Florence Gschwend
- 30-09-21
Humbling and inspiring
A very inspiring story about innovation born out of poverty and necessity. As a privileged white European this was very humbling to hear.
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- lesley
- 11-11-23
Heart warming and positive
In a world which seems full of bad news it was so nice to listen to a story which is so positive
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- nicola spiers
- 25-03-23
inspired and humbled
really love this book I learned so much from it. it is a brilliant story very well told
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1 person found this helpful
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- Mealanzo
- 06-04-19
A true inspiration!
What an inspiring and important story. really written and excellently read. it gives a real insight into life in rural Malawi and solutions to big issues
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