A trained biologist (doctorate thesis), I reoriented my career toward the field of Computer Science, initially in the context of associations, and then through professional training, which led me to take on responsibilities in companies.
After a few years of living in Europe, I felt that I was in debt to Africa. I felt more and more uncomfortable with the way Africa was seen. Hardly a day went by that Africa wasn't shown on TV and (almost) always in the same light. Malnourished children, dubious presidential elections, fratricidal wars fought without objective grounds, mortal tentatives for exodus to Europe, etc... The desire to do something to attenuate these evils became more and more urgent. For me, living in Europe was a happy destiny. What could I do for those less fortunate, besides give a bit of myself.
I knew something about computers, and I had some ideas.
The idea that I decided upon was to create an independent association type structure. This became the NGO (Non Governmental Organization) pompously baptized ADINTAF (Support for Development of Africa through Computer Science and the Internet). The NGO's creation began in France in 2001 with 4 computers and 3 friends interested in helping out.
I also bought second hand a small van and a few machines that were necessary to start life out over there. So many years of living in Europe do indeed leave us with a certain taste for comfort. A refrigerator, a gas stove, a freezer and a few other electrical appliances. I won't go into detail about how these all ended up, since all of them were destroyed fairly quickly by the unpredictable power outages. Electricity costs a lot and is poorly distributed. We're still at that stage.
An idea, a single set idea : use computers to help people get their lives together. Favor sharing experiences and knowledge...And I was off.