If you have time, read up on Mr Kamkwamba (http://williamkamkwamba.typepad.com/williamkamkwamba/). I met the dude and he's not one given to much words (or maybe it's because my chiChewa is not usable). And even more importantly, glory found him--he didn't go seeking it. He is the modern African I want to be like--inspired to solve immediate problems with immediate materials.