WHO
I loved science and refused to stop learning, even after I had to leave school.
Who is William Kamkwamba?
What was the name of William's dog?
Who is Khamba?
Clue: William’s first windmill problem wasn’t the blades — this part kept slipping off.
Answer: What is the bicycle chain?
What is the purpose of a switch?
Answer: Opens or closes a circuit
Rose • Bud • Thorn
A reflection tool that helps us identify:
Example:
William's Thorn was leaving school.
His Bud was discovering the library.
His Rose was building the windmill.
Clue: I was William's best friend and helped him test many of his inventions and experiments.
Answer: Who is Geoffrey?
What did William chew that made him believe he had been cursed?
What is stolen bubble gum?
Clue: After the chain problem, William switched to this instead.
Answer: What is a rubber belt?
What natural event caused the famine in William's village?
Answer: Drought
One Opportunity Can Change Everything
A small opportunity can completely change the direction of your life.
Example:
William borrowing books from the library eventually led to the windmill.
Clue: I wasn't convinced William's idea would work, but eventually I gave up something important to help him try.
Answer: Who is Trywell Kamkwamba?
What language is spoken by most people in Malawi?
What is Chichewa?
Clue: William accidentally ruined this belonging of his father’s while experimenting with electricity.
Answer: What is his father’s radio?
What disease made William's mother very sick?
Answer: Malaria
Little by Little
Big goals are achieved through many small steps.
Example:
William collected scrap parts one piece at a time before the windmill was complete.
Clue: I stood beside William through difficult times and helped him collect materials and work on the windmill.
Answer: Who is Gilbert?
What did William use his windmill to charge for people in his village?
What is a cell phone?
The government’s emergency maize supply failed the people because officials did this with it.
Answer: What is sold it / mismanaged it?
What must a circuit be to allow electricity to flow?
Answer: Closed (complete)
Keep Building Even When Doubted
Don't quit just because other people don't believe in you.
Example:
Villagers laughed at William's windmill idea, but he kept working.
Clue: After hearing about William's windmill, I traveled to Malawi and helped introduce his story to the rest of the world.
Answer: Who is Tom Rielly?
What slogan became associated with William after his TED Talk?
What is "I try, and I made it!"?
William’s family’s roof area was damaged or weakened because of these tiny creatures.
What are termites.
What fuel did William try to make from goat manure?
Answer: Biogas
Keep Moving Forward
Progress matters more than speed. Keep going even when life is difficult.
Example:
William continued learning, experimenting, and trying despite famine, poverty, and setbacks.