Tepetzintan, Mexico – October 15, 2024 – The Acronis Cyber
Foundation Program, a set of philanthropic initiatives designed
to engage with partners on community development projects and provide
volunteering opportunities to team members around the world, is proud to
announce the opening of Escuela Rural Productiva (Rural Production School) in
Tepetzintan, Mexico. In partnership with Acronis’ MSP partner VirtualTech this Foundation Program initiative provides local youth with
practical skills and a transformative education in a community-focused setting.
The school construction included the completion of two classrooms and the
construction of one new classroom which together accommodates 66 students aged
15-19, offering them an opportunity to prepare for their futures both
academically and vocationally.
“We are incredibly proud to support the
opening of the Escuela Rural Productiva in Tepetzintan alongside our partner
VirtualTech,” said Agustin Mella, Acronis General Manager in LATAM. “This
project reflects Acronis' commitment to empowering communities through
education development. By blending cultural heritage with practical skills, the
school offers local youth the tools they need to build a brighter future for
themselves and their community, while preserving the rich traditions of the
region."
Situated in Tepetzintan, a rural community
nestled in the Sierra Nororiental of Puebla, Mexico, the school serves a
predominantly Náhuatl-speaking population with a deeply rooted indigenous
culture. Serving students from 12 surrounding rural communities, the Escuela
Rural Productiva provides a high-quality, culturally relevant education that
blends traditional knowledge with modern academic subjects to provide the
students with the tools they need to succeed.
Acronis Cyber Foundation, in partnership with MSP partner VirtualTech, celebrate during the ribbon cutting ceremony at Escuela Rural Productiva.
Escuela Rural
Productiva will prepare students for employment opportunities with a facility
that features public and accessible education. Students will not only receive
academic education but are also trained in practical skills including
traditional agriculture and local crafts, which are essential to the
community’s way of life.
"We are honored to partner with Acronis
in the expansion of Escuela Rural Productiva,” said Omar Navarro, CEO at
VirtualTech. “This project is more than just construction of a school for the
region, it is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and the
lasting impact they can have. This objective represents how education can
empower youth to build a brighter, more sustainable future for themselves and
their communities. By providing students with an education that connects
academic knowledge with their cultural roots, we are helping to equip the next
generation with the skills and confidence to thrive locally and globally."
While Acronis and VirtualTech co-funded the construction of the
educational infrastructure, the project was managed by the Mexican non-profit
organization Hábitat Comunal y Vivienda A.C. This non-governmental organization
is dedicated to endorsing social change through broad public participation and
empowerment. By using architecture as a tool for social transformation, Hábitat
Comunal y Vivienda A.C. creates inclusive, community-driven processes that
promote sustainable development.
A key component
of the Escuela Rural Productiva is its commitment to sustainability. The
school’s construction utilized eco-friendly materials like locally sourced
bamboo and stone, reducing its environmental impact while supporting the local
economy and traditional craftsmanship. The bamboo used for the roofing was
harvested and treated by the students, further reinforcing the project’s
sustainable focus and commitment to the school’s mission, ensuring that it
remains a valuable and long-term asset for future generations.
The students,
teachers, local construction workers, and families were all an integral part of
the school construction project. Through participatory workshops and planning
sessions, the community was actively involved in every phase, from budgeting
and material selection to construction and design. Students played a key role
throughout, contributing both labor and ideas, while being trained in
traditional construction techniques such as bamboo cutting, preservation, and
roofing. This hands-on involvement not only provided them with valuable skills
tied to their cultural heritage but also fostered a deep sense of ownership and
pride in the school's creation.
To celebrate the school opening and assist
with the shortage of resources, Acronis and VirtualTech donated three new
laptops and fulfilled the stationary needs of the school. These laptops, one
for each classroom, will primarily be used by teachers. Currently, Escuela Rural Productiva does
not have permanent access to electricity and uses power from adjacent houses. Although
teachers will only be able to use the internet and laptops intermittently, it will
still enhance educational opportunities for the students. Unlike the two
previously built classrooms, the new facility has all the necessary
infrastructure for electricity, and the school administration hopes to secure a
permanent electricity supply in the near future.
The Acronis
Cyber Foundation Program is focused on partnering with other organizations to
make a difference together. Acronis invites all businesses, large or small, to
engage in joint projects. To join our mission or to learn more, please visit https://acronis.events/event/foundation-teamup/.
About Virtual
Tech
VirtualTech
specializes in risk and vulnerability management, offering tailored solutions
to mitigate threats, prevent attacks, and ensure operational continuity. Their
team of experts works tirelessly to provide services ranging from ransomware
protection, automated vulnerability scanning, to advanced backups.
About Hábitat Comunal y Vivienda A.C
Hábitat Comunal y Vivienda A.C. is a non-profit organization founded by
architects Mariana Ordóñez Grajales and Jesica Amescua Carrera in Mexico City,
dedicated to addressing architecture through the lens of social justice and
gender equity. As a women-led team, they challenge patriarchal and colonial
practices that marginalize communities. Embracing Participatory Architecture
and Social Production of Habitat, we place residents at the center of
decision-making. By rejecting top-down practices, we promote collaboration, knowledge
exchange, and intercultural respect, transforming architecture into a tool for
social empowerment.
About Acronis:
Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. Acronis solutions are highly efficient and designed to identify, prevent, detect, respond, remediate, and recover from modern cyberthreats with minimal downtime, ensuring data integrity and business continuity. Acronis offers the most comprehensive security solution on the market for MSPs with its unique ability to meet the needs of diverse and distributed IT environments.
A Swiss company founded in Singapore in 2003, Acronis has 15 offices worldwide and employees in 50+ countries. Acronis Cyber Protect is available in 26 languages in 150 countries and is used by over 21,000 service providers to protect over 750,000 businesses. Learn more at www.acronis.com.