Beyond the Book: Background information when reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Beyond the Book

This article relates to The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Moving Windmills Project
Inspired by William Kamkwamba's story, the Moving Windmills Project was founded in 2008 to support rural economic development and education projects in Malawi. The nonprofit group works with local leaders to provide food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, health, education and community-building.

Completed projects include:

• wind and solar power for village homes
• re-roofing village homes
• protection from rain and fire
• water sanitation and hygiene education
• disease prevention
• anti-malarial bed-net distribution
• bedding distribution
• warmth and pest protection
• a water well and solar-powered water pump
• drip irrigation
• improved food supply with multiple maize crops and vegetable gardens
• running water taps free-of-charge for all villagers
• improved sanitation and productivity
• distribution of fertilizer, urea and seed
• uniforms, shoes and equipment for the village soccer team
• children's and young adult books distribution
• improved reading skills and increased literacy in children
• educational scholarships

Click here to read about, and donate to, current projects such as a windmill to power radios and charge mobile phones at William's local primary school; books for the village library through contributions to Books for Africa and Better World Books; and funds for a new primary school.

Moving Windmills Short Film

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This "beyond the book article" relates to The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. It originally ran in November 2009 and has been updated for the August 2010 paperback edition. Go to magazine.