William Kamkwamba is a young man from Malawi, a tiny country in southern Africa. At 14, when his country was hit by famine and poverty, the young man, with zero experience, zero education, and zero capital, built a wind turbine from scrap materials to supply energy.electricity the family home. This feat has been at the origin of his fame, and his story has been around the world. Today, thanks to a scholarship, William is studying at the African Leadership Academy in South Africa. At 22 years old, William Kamkwamba, who speaks here at the TED conference for the second time, shares with his own words the moving story of this invention that changed his life.
" Thank you. 2 years ago, I was on the scene of TED in Arusha, Tanzania. I spoke briefly about the creation I am most proud of. It's a simple machine that has changed my life.
Before that, I had never been away from home in Malawi. I had never used a computer. I had never seen what the Internet is. That day on stage, I was so nervous. I had lost my English. I wanted to throw up. (Laughs) I had never been surrounded by so many Azungu - whites. (Laughter)