By Daisy Moraa
Nairobi
Friends Secondary School Kibisi in Namboko, Mbakalo ward, has officially unveiled a multipurpose resource centre funded under the Acronis Cyber Foundation Program in partnership with Gridheart.
The facility was launched during a well-attended ceremony on Friday November 29, marking a significant milestone for the rural institution, which has operated for years without key academic infrastructure.
This project, completed between September 2024 and March 2025, delivers three essential learning spaces: a meeting hall, a library and a computer classroom. School administrators noted that the introduction of these facilities addresses persistent gaps that have affected learning conditions for more than 1,200 students.
Before the new construction, school events including debates, mentorship forums, chapel sessions, examinations and parent–teacher meetings were held outdoors under a tree.
“This arrangement often disrupted activities due to high temperatures, rain and noise, reducing the effectiveness of school programs and limiting digital skill development entirely,” noted the school’s board member in the public address.
The new hall will support structured gatherings, examinations and dining needs for students and teachers.
Also the library introduces a dedicated silent study environment for revision and reading, while the computer classroom creates the school’s first opportunity for consistent digital literacy lessons.
The centre also gives teachers additional instructional space and supports their preparation of learning materials.
Students and Community Members Welcome the Upgrade
The launch drew students, teachers, local leaders, parents and Acronis Foundation Ambassadors from Japan, the United States and Germany. The visitors toured the facility and interacted with learners, who shared how the building is expected to change their academic experience. Teachers expressed optimism that the centre would improve concentration, discipline and exam readiness by offering a stable indoor learning environment.
Students voiced strong appreciation. Linda Simiyu,16, a student at the school, said the computer classroom marks a turning point in how they will learn digital skills.
“This resource centre is going to be a major help because we had never interacted with computers before. The new computer classroom will help us develop our IT skills and support many other learning needs,” she said.
Community members also welcomed the development. Namarome Vivian, who has followed the school’s challenges over the years, pointed out how difficult the previous arrangement had been.
“In earlier years, school meetings and important events were held under a tree, and that was difficult because of harsh weather conditions. This centre has changed that, and we appreciate what has been done for the school,” she said.
During the event, Acronis Foundation Ambassadors conducted a cyber safety class to introduce students to responsible digital habits. The session covered basic online safety rules, appropriate behaviour when using shared devices and safeguarding personal information—an essential component as the school transitions to computer-assisted learning for the first time.
Project Structure and Long-Term Impact
The construction of the resource centre was made possible through a structured three-way partnership model. The arrangement brought together international expertise, corporate funding, and local implementation to ensure the project aligned with the educational needs of the community.
The Acronis Cyber Foundation Program served as the project owner under its global Schools Initiative. The foundation coordinated the overall funding process, the architectural design, progress reporting, and project communication.
Gridheart, acting as the co-funding partner, provided financial support, enabling the construction to proceed within the intended timeframe.
Core Health and Wealth International, a local NGO, oversaw ground implementation and ensured that the building met all educational and structural requirements. The organisation worked closely with school leadership, the local community and contractors throughout the construction period.
This partnership model anchors the long-term sustainability of the project by aligning global resources with local realities. In addition to benefiting Friends Secondary School Kibisi, the resource centre will also be accessible to Kibisi Primary School, which faces similar infrastructure limitations. Both institutions are expected to experience improved learning conditions, better study routines and enhanced digital access.
The partners stated that the long-term goal is to strengthen academic performance, broaden digital literacy, and provide a reliable multipurpose space for community gatherings. With the centre now operational, teachers anticipate improved classroom management, stronger reading culture and the ability to introduce structured ICT programs that were previously impossible.
About the Acronis Cyber Foundation Program
The Acronis Cyber Foundation Program supports education and digital access in underserved communities globally. It is part of Acronis, a cyber protection company offering integrated cybersecurity, data protection and endpoint management solutions to managed service providers, small and medium businesses and enterprise IT teams.
Acronis was founded in Singapore in 2003 and now operates as a Swiss company with 15 offices worldwide and employees in more than 50 countries.
Its flagship solution, Acronis Cyber Protect, is available in 26 languages across 150 countries and is used by over 21,000 service providers to protect more than 750,000 businesses.
The foundation’s school projects aim to close digital education gaps by constructing learning facilities, providing technology access, and supporting safe digital practices for students around the world.
Elizabeth Angira