All Alexandria Reads Hosts Author William Kamkwamba at Kickoff Event on March 23
The Alexandria Library and the Alexandria City Public Schools have partnered together to encourage all Alexandria residents to read The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity & Hope, in which William Kamkwamba shares the story of how he achieved his dream of bringing electricity, light, and the promise of a better life to his family and his village. On Friday, March 23, William Kamkwamba will share his inspirational story at 7 p.m. in the T.C. Williams High School auditorium. All are welcome to attend. The event serves as an official kick-off to the annual "All Alexandria Reads" event series facilitated by the Alexandria Library. The series is a community-based cooperative designed to promote shared experiences through reading.
William Kamkwamba grew up in Malawi and routinely went to bed early, right after dark, because kerosene to light lamps was very expensive. As a teenager, he began to explore the miracles of science. First, he developed a bicycle dynamo, which is a pedal-powered wheel that generates light. This taste of electricity (a luxury enjoyed by just two percent of Malawians) filled William with a desire to create his own. Before long, his scientific curiosity sent him on a quest to a build a windmill. Besides dealing with all sorts of financial obstacles and technical difficulties, William had to become a self-taught physicist, overcome local superstitions, and withstand being mocked for his "crazy" ideas. The community is encouraged to come out and hear his story first-hand as he discusses his book at this event. For more information, visit http://www.acps.k12.va.us/
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