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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

12/10/2010 By 1 Comment

by Nicolle Morales Kern

Have you ever read a story that truly inspired you? It’s a story that opens your eyes to another person’s life and the potential that we all have as people.

That’s how I feel after reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, the real story of a William Kamkwambe from Kasunga, Malawi. He achieved his goals of providing electricity and an irrigation system for his village by reading about electricity and windmills and putting what he learned into action. Everyone in his village thought he was crazy as he focused on his dreams throughout the famine and while his peers were mostly able to attend school.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arD374MFk4w]

Living the life I live, it is hard to conceive what it is like to live the life that William Kamkwambe has lived, but the book allowed me a glimpse into his world, a chance to imagine what it’s like to live on one meal or less a day. A chance to imagine not having access to education, clean water, or the technology that I do.

While it may sound cliché, the one thing that stands out in my mind is that all it takes to make a difference in a community is one person. One person who stands behind what he/she believes in and does everything in his/her power to see that it is accomplished. As a result, other community members are introduced to a new and improved way of life.

In order to be that person, we all need to explore the talents we possess and use them on a daily basis. I encourage you to read this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. What books have recently inspired you?

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NicolleTo learn more about Nicolle,
visit NAMK Photography.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be understood to be shared by Being Latino, Inc.

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About Nicolle Morales Kern

Nicolle was born in Philadelphia, raised in England and Germany, and lived in Madrid, Spain for a year in college. She has a B.A. in Journalism from Drexel University.

This avid reader and writer seeks to write and create pieces that encourage people to think and question what they already know, but also to show them the lighter side of life.
Her interest in writing and working for Being Latino comes from the desire to explore what being Latino means for her as a German-Panamanian and to explore the depths of the Latino culture.

She has a passion for all things relating to books, food and booze and shares her musings on her personal blog Culture Jaunt, and currently resides in Philadelphia.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be understood to be shared by Being Latino, Inc.

Comments

  1. k. Cedano says:
    12/13/2010 at 9:16 am

    Nicolle,

    This is a great post. A perfect example that change starts within ourselves.

    I’m currently reading books by Juan Bosch, which have led me to learn more about his legacy and he is a true inspiration. A man who lived by morals and who stood up for his community and the well-being of the people.

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