Florent Youzan firmly believes in the development of Africa. For him, this development depends on youth and the use of free software. Everyone should have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, modify, and improve software in order to adapt it to their needs and realities. Such is Florent’s conviction.
In this approach, he has therefore combined Jerry and Emmabuntüs. Jerry is a computer made from recycled materials, all assembled inside a jerrycan. It can also be used as a server. Emmabuntüs is a derivative of the Linux operating system, a free, generally open-source and adaptable software that can be modified according to the user’s needs.
The combined use of Jerry and the free software Emmabuntüs provides open access to the world of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). To promote and popularize this tool, Florent Youzan travels from neighborhood to neighborhood, district to district, meeting people and raising awareness about the importance of using software on recycled hardware to create digital content.
He carries his Jerry proudly and does not hesitate to show it off—to demonstrate to everyone that one does not necessarily need a lot of money to own a computer and be part of the ICT generation.
For Florent Youzan, the most important thing is that Africa must be free in every sense of the word. The continent must not miss out on the digital revolution. That is why, at every conference he attends—such as Bouaké E-School Time 2013—he assembles old computer components piece by piece and installs the Emmabuntüs operating system to create the Jerry.
Thanks to his passion for “Free Software,” a strong community called the JERRY CLAN was born. It regularly organizes training workshops and JERRY MARATHONS—computer and server building competitions—for the most disadvantaged communities. These are moments of knowledge sharing and creativity, as each participant can adapt their Jerry to their own tastes and realities.
