A single invention is not enough for the 22-year-old George Kalichero who has under his name innovated different modern technology materials such as a windmill, electrical bicycle, electrical movable desk and a stove among others.
Kalichero is a living proof that Malawi has skillful innovators who are not yet revealed to the general public but their impact is way above recognition.
He begins the interview by highlighting that he has never attended any tertiary education or been oriented by anyone else to venture in the world of innovation rather than the inborn talent he discovered at a tender age.
“I am from Mulanje and I have not gone far with school but my passion of being innovative started early when I was at primary school. It all began with small structures that people could mock me with but I realized that it was my stepping stone towards achieving more than just a mere innovation material.’ He said.
According to Kalichero who is expressing passion for his innovation towards fighting climate change, he believes if the government concentrates much in uplifting and supporting innovative ideas, the country can accelerate its development growth.
“I have innovated many things but to be honest, I get little support from relevant authorities such as the government and the private sector. For instance, some few days ago, I was in Nkhotakota district where I went to plant some windmills for various households that have purchased and want to be using clean energy. Apart from that, I have also invented an electric hoe (known as Kalichangu planting hoe) due to its speed which mainly does double work of digging and at the same time it plants the seed according to your selected number.” Said Kalichero.
Kalichero adds that his wish is to see the country concentrating much on using clean energy such as promotion of procuring electrical vehicles which are the common denominator of releasing carbon dioxide that is enhancing climate change.
He said: “I would want to be working with many people at my small workshop but currently, I work with my young brother due to financial hiccups as employing other people means that I should be paying them. Despite my own sales, there is a need for innovators to be supported as this will not benefit us but also the country as a whole.”
Kalichero boasts that since the genesis of his innovation journey, he received an award from former President Peter Mutharika in 2018 for the windmill innovation and says his goal is to have the first Malawian company to make and sell electric bikes in the country.
