Paper short abstract:

The article addresses how technology and disability was addressed as 'humanist' addressing 'equality' in the slogan 'Homme Comme Toi' and how this ideology has changed over time. In particular I pay attention to orthopedic technology and to the transnational and translocal connections that emerged over time.

Paper long abstract:

In this presentation, I start with an analysis of Zamenga Batukezanga's book 'Homme comme Toi' (A Person Like Yourself) in which he advanced a humanist African perspective of disabled people as being 'equal'. First, I make an analysis of how this equality was to be achieved within the context of the center KIKESA, a formal center for professional training of people with disabilities, skilled professionalism, and work as a condition for worth and recognition. I address the training of the orthopedic technician, especially its link to technical and material conditions. Second, I make an analysis of Zamenga's analysis of modern African life and the progression of KIKESA under its two other founders, Mr. Nkakudulu and Mr. Vanda, referring to the relationships between KIKESA, the Congolese state, and transnational connections, particularly in the context of development aid. Here I will focus on the nature of aid in its capability of technology transfer, the creation of 'development cemeteries'. Third, I focus on the potentials of recreating hope through the next generation of leaders, which is also diasporic, and the next generation of development aid which can be called 'translocal'. I investigate how a translocal approach can avoid the pitfalls of earlier collaborations.