In 2001 and 2002, there was a terrible drought in Malawi, a country in Africa. There was almost no rain, the crops died, and many families didn't have enough food. William Kamkwamba was fourteen years old. His parents could no longer pay for school, so he had to stay home.
But William didn't stop learning. He went to a small village library and read every science book he could find. One book, called Using Energy, had a picture of a windmill on the cover. William learned that a windmill can turn wind into electricity.
He decided to build one. There was no money for new parts, so he collected old things from the junkyard: a broken bicycle, plastic pipes, an old fan and pieces of metal. People in the village laughed at him and said he was crazy.
After many weeks of work, William climbed to the top of a tall tower that he built from wood. The wind turned the blades, and a small light bulb began to shine. Soon his family's house had electric lights and a radio.
Later, William built a windmill that pumped water for the fields. His story traveled around the world, and he got the chance to study at a university in the United States. Today, he teaches young people that a good idea and hard work can change lives.