To appreciate what a small amount of energy means to a citizen of a developing nation, read The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by James Kamkwambe (William Morrow, 2009, ISBN 978-0-06-173032-0). Before the energy part, you'll read the fifty pages describing the famine he experienced; imagine eating indigestible materials such as tree bark, not because they provide nutrition but simply because it minimizes the pain of starvation.
After surviving the famine, James built a wind-powered generator that provided his family with enough electricity to burn four light bulbs at night, and to power a portable radio. Before this, everyone went to sleep when the sun went down; with wind-provided electricity, the children were able to study at night.
James attained world fame for his perseverance and creativity. The message for this blog, though, is how much a little energy can improve the quality of life for people in developing nations. The subtitle of the book illustrates this: "Creating currents of electricity & hope."
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