Speaker Profile Thumbnail for William Kamkwamba

Author of 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind' | Innovator and Engineer | Speaker on Ingenuity and Sustainable Energy

William Kamkwamba Speaking Fee: $30,000 to $50,000

Author of 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind' | Innovator and Engineer | Speaker on Ingenuity and Sustainable Energy

Speaker Profile Thumbnail for William Kamkwamba
Speaking Fee:
$30,000 to $50,000

Travels From:
ATL - Atlanta, GA

Primary Topic Category:
Inspiration / Motivation / Overcoming Obstacles

Secondary Topic Category:
Environment

 

William Kamkwamba Speaker Profile: At A Glance

After experiencing severe famine in Malawi and being forced to drop out of high school at 14, William Kamkwamba reasoned out how to build an electricity-producing windmill from spare parts and scrap, despite having no instructions. Since then, William has worked with the WiderNet Project to develop appropriate technologies curriculums focused on bridging the gap between “knowing” and “doing” for young people in Malawi and across the world. Currently, William works with Moving Windmills to create innovative solutions to African problems using recycled materials, appropriate technology, and human-centered design.

William Kamkwamba was born on August 5, 1987, in Dowa, Malawi, and grew up in the rural village of Masitala. During a severe drought in 2001, his family's crops failed, leading to financial hardship and forcing Kamkwamba to drop out of school. Determined to continue his education, he began frequenting the local library, where he discovered a book on wind energy. Inspired by the diagrams and concepts, Kamkwamba set out to build a windmill to generate electricity for his home. Using materials such as blue gum trees, bicycle parts, and other scraps, Kamkwamba successfully constructed a functioning wind turbine that powered four lights and two radios in his family's house. This achievement gained local and international attention, leading to his TED Talk in 2007 and the publication of his memoir, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," in 2009. The book became a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a film in 2019, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor. Kamkwamba's journey did not stop there. He co-founded the Moving Windmills Project, which aims to empower young Malawians by providing them with the tools and knowledge to create innovative solutions for their communities. The project focuses on education, sustainable energy, and community development. Kamkwamba also graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Environmental Studies in 2014, furthering his commitment to environmental sustainability and innovation. Through his continued efforts, William Kamkwamba remains a beacon of hope and inspiration, showing how ingenuity and determination can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. He frequently speaks at international conferences and works on various initiatives to support and mentor young inventors in Malawi and beyond.
Gotham Artists