Program Description
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******This Author Event takes place in the Suncoast Technical College Conference Center, adjacent to the Shannon Staub Library. ******
***No Registration Required. First come, first seated.***
William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land filled with drought and hunger. None of this deterred William, who had always been an enthusiastic learner and had read about windmills in the library. He dreamed of building one that would bring to his small village something that only 2 percent of Malawians could enjoy: electricity and running water. With a small pile of old science textbooks; some scrap metal, tractor parts and bicycle halves; along with his curiosity and determination, he embarked on a plan that many in his village called "crazy" to build this contraption and create a small miracle that would make big changes for the lives around him.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is this remarkable true story about human inventiveness and perseverance, and the power to overcome adversity. William's inspirational tale illustrates the power of one person's ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him.
After graduating from Dartmouth College in Environmental Studies, William began work as a Global Fellow for the design firm IDEO.org.
William is an entrepreneur and TED Fellow, and 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.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is the One Book One Community 2022 selection. Read the Book, Join the Discussion, Share the Story. Learn more at scgov.net/onebook