The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

I have not heard this before. An unqualified success story.

This an incredible story and should make all us superior, educated types take stock of what's really going on in the "real" world.

I read about this somewhere, maybe here earlier.

I grew up poor, in rural Arkansas, and consider myself quite handy at improvising, but this kid leaves me awe struck.

More power to him!

(Pun intended.)

A brilliant story, and I hope that he can carry on doing what he wants to do!

Xanasax

I know this is not addressing the engineering feat of William (great story) but I thought it important not to go off record in order to address the problem of education in Malawi. It seems to me that it is a better doctrine to assure that kids don't fall through the cracks and the Williams of the world can really rise to the surface. What could be accomplished with some education of these poor folks?

If all it takes to assure kids like William Kamkwamba can attend school is $80.00/year, how can one go about sponsoring a couple of kids? I would not be interested in sponsoring a kid through a group with ulterior motives and paying many times what should be paid. I just read a brief history of Malawi and was shocked by the poverty and rapid population growth of this small landlocked country. It is a good base for future problems based on the young age and lack of good education or any formal education. It is cheaper and far better to develop the minds of the Williams in Malawi.

Does anyone know of ways to help and what is legitimate? I have found a couple of sites; the Friends of Malawi, and Malawi Children's Village. Unfortunately, I know very little about either of them and if there is feedback on either let CR4 know so we can share and possibly help in some way. I guess I am a little sappy because I just read John Shor's book, "Dragon House." My wife made me read it and I was moved.

Hi kevinm,

Here in the UK we send many millions of pounds to the peoples of the African continent, the problem is, making sure it gets to where is is needed, a huge amount of this aid money is stolen by the countries leaders, but we still keep on trying!

Xanasax

Xanasax: It is, I think, the same for all western countries. Although, I am not sure if the ulterior motives by some countries is simply to have access to cheap raw materials. For example china gives a lot of money to some African counties just to garner the rare earth market. Some Arab countries provide on a religious bases. The country in turn gets guns and bullets. Not even close to fair but as long as the despots rule with tribal mentalities, that is the reality. The country will stay mired until all its citizenry are educated and the tribal leaders can no longer defend their positions.

If you know of a fair group I would not mind contributing but I would like to see the money go directly to the school or possibly the school board or the parent. I know of a local chap who went around and collected used sewing machines for Malawi. He delivered these sewing machines in person to the people who would use them. My wife had two not so old ones and contributed those machines. Education just seems too important to allow to screw up and is a key to breaking the bonds of despotism. Perhaps I can talk to the sewing machine fellow when he returns for his feedback. I will let you know on this thread.