The windmill

Photos: Erik Hersman

This boy’s name is William. He lives in Malawi in Africa. In this photo he is making a windmill (पवनचक्की).  When William was 14 his family became very poor. For a long time there was no rain. His family could not grow food. William’s father did not have money to pay (द्या) for school. William had to leave (सोडून) school. He was very sad.

But William did not complain (तक्रार). He did not stop learning (जाणून). Every day he walked to the library (लायब्ररी) to read books. He taught (teach) himself English. Then he learned about electricity (वीज). He used what he learned to help his village.
  
In the library he found (find) a book called, Using Energy. The book showed how windmills can make electricity. William began to search (शोध) for parts to make a windmill. He looked in piles of trash.


 

He found old bicycles, wire (वायर), and pieces of metal (धातू). With these things he started to make a windmill. Everyone laughed at him!  The people said he must be sent away because he was crazy (वेडा)!  It was very hard for William when people said he was crazy. But he did not quit (राजीनामा).  



After 2 months, William made his first windmill! It was made of plastic pipes (पाईप), parts of old tractors, bicycles, and motorcycles. 
     Electricity from the windmill let them use a radio and a light bulb. The villagers could not believe (विश्वास) it! William’s family had light at night. They could read and work at night. William built 4 more windmills. His whole village now has electricity and an electric water pump (पाण्याचा पंप). 

Success (यश) does not depend on where you live or what you have. It comes from working hard. It comes from believing in your ideas. William once said, “Do not insult (अपमान) me today because I am poor. You do not know what my future (भविष्यात) will be!”