"I try, and I made it"

I've been looking around for a little motivation since my get-up-and-go seems to have gotten-up-and-gone.

How about this? A 14-year-old Malawian who built a windmill from a library book, using a broken bicycle, some pipes and poles.

I am inspired by his quiet I-can-do-this spirit.

The power of books + individuals.

So inspiring.

Yay for people.

Here's his blog if you want to see what has happened in the last two years, including sending his sister to school; what a good brother. [And now I have a good response when I get the inevitable "I'm bored" from my kids: go build an electricity-making windmill!]

p.s. TED is one of my favorite sources for inspiration and motivation and interestingness. Have you discovered it? Here's the blurb from their website:

"TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes) [or less]"

They have archived most of the talks over the years so you could spend days listening to short talks by designers or novelists or educators or musicians. What with all of the free time I'm sure you have.

Comments

[seven smiles]

very cool!

[the wrath of khandrea]

i don't understand why his blog isn't packed with more comments. the whole premise of his accomplishments is fascinating.

[Jenny]

Now how to motivate summer-mode teenagers to stop migrating towards electronic devices when they think there is nothing better to do...
THIS IS A WONDERFUL FIND.

[diane]

Thanks for sharing. You always find cool stuff. I find shallow stupid stuff.