http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/07/11/malawi-youth-builds-windmill-to-power-village/
This article tells of William Kamkwamba who built a windmill from scraps to provide power for his home. He had to drop out of school due to lack of funds, but his primary school had a number of donated books, one of which showed in detail how to build a windmill to generate electricity. This is a very interesting example of the way that sustainable development has "trickled down" to individuals. The book he used to learn how to do this most likely came from a "first world" country.
It does seem to me that if "under-developed" countries have the desire to become developed, they should follow sustainable models (as should we, in the U.S. - we should switch to sustainable models as well). I also like the fact that this youth did it himself - he chose for himself this route towards development. It was not "forced" on him, except perhaps by showing him in a book how to generate electricity from wind power. So in this way, I am not against technology or knowledge that is "western" in its origin being used by local people in their own initiative and in their own way.
He has become a bit of a celebrity, and people are sending him donations directly. Here is his blog:
http://williamkamkwamba.typepad.com/
He is now going to finish school, and go to college, and has used the donations to benefit his family, extended family, and village.
I really love these personal accounts, and personal stories, and seeing how these individuals feel about their life, their future, education, etc. It is really interesting to read his blog. I find it much more inspiring than these "bigwig" conferences and political figures, and all that nonsense, which is generally depressing. The personal is more genuine, more touching, and I would say more truthful than most of the "news" these days. It is good to understand the theoretical aspects of development (like we learn in class) and also be able to see those big picture ideas in action in the little picture, and I think it's important to have both.
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2 comments:
I don't think development can be generalized like that (like we talked about yesterday in class). The US certainly didn't start developing in a sustainable way. If anything, we have gradually gotten better at sustainability. Who knows if we would have been able to develop if we had been restricted by sustainability. Yes, we need to switch to a more sustainable plan if we want any future at all. However, every country should be allowed to follow their own path to development and sustainability will come (hopefully soon).
Also, I wonder how William had enough money to make a windmill but not enough to go to school. People see his blog and assume he is a typical success story but he is the exception.
I think the idea of alternative/sustainable/green energy use being implemented in developing countries is so exciting. it's horrible that he could not afford to go to school, because educating a population should come as a first priority, but if we set that aside i think it is very important to acknowledge the developing countries that have begun using hydroelectric, wind and solar power within smaller villages and towns or even in large cities. this can be an important factor because if they are able to develop renewable energy systems they will not have the need to depend on other countries for oil or monetary support for electricity
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