Bloom where you are planted, because your means never determine how far you can go, or grow.
Get Informed:
Do you know the name William Kamkwamba? Well… me either, but here’s why you should know him:
William (born August 5, 1987, in Dowa, Malawi) is an engineer, author, TED speaker, and innovator. William couldn’t attend high school because severe famine left his family unable to pay his annual school fees, so for five years he was unable to attend school. Yet he rose above his situation and spent his time reading books from a nearby library, including science books. Eventually he taught himself how to build a windmill to power his family’s home. He built his first prototype using a radio motor, a broken bicycle, tractor fan blade, old shock absorber, and blue gum trees. From there, he created technology to solar power homes in his community, and built a well with a solar-powered pump for clean water. Now that’s what I call innovative!
William’s windmill project and other inventions garnered so much attention he was invited to be a TED speaker. His presentation led to additional mentors, donors, and companies supporting his education and furthering his projects. William graduated from Dartmouth College in 2014, defying insurmountable odds. Since graduating, he has traveled the world, working on projects ranging from sanitation in India to gender-based violence prevention in Kenya.
He is now developing a technology curriculum that will allow people to bridge the gap between “knowing” and “doing”. There is also a Netflix film, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, about William’s life, and we honor him for the difference he continues to make in the technology industry and the world!
“Trust yourself and believe, whatever happens don’t give up.” – William Kamkwamba
Get Involved:
It is already April – time to shake off a few layers, get outside and… run? That’s right! Start training now and be ready to participate in KLJ Way’s 5K Road Race on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at the scenic D.W. Field Park in Brockton/Avon, MA. Sign up now for the KLJ Road Race. REGISTER!
Not into running? That’s okay! You can still participate by donating and sharing our campaign found HERE, or volunteering. If you’re interested in volunteering, you can submit a form via our website HERE.