The Prosegur Foundation joins the Elecnor Foundation to bring electricity to a school in Uruguay

The Prosegur Foundation, a non-profit entity which channels the company’s social action and culture programme, has signed an agreement with the Elecnor Foundation to collaborate in the “Luces para aprender Uruguay” (lights to learn) project, aimed at improving the living and schooling conditions of thousands of children across the country who do not have electricity or Internet access at school.

Through this agreement, signed by Fernando Azaola, Chairman of both Elecnor and the Elecnor Foundation, and Helena Revoredo, Chairwoman of both Prosegur and the Prosegur Foundation, both institutions intend to take electricity to the rural school Capón de la Yerba, in the region of Tacuarembó. This initiative, which will provide both internal and external lighting at the school, will involve installing a photovoltaic system to supply sustainable and environmentally-friendly renewable energy.

The Capón de la Yerba school is just one of 80 schools which are benefiting from the "Luces para aprender Uruguay" project. This project is organised by the Organisation of Latin American States (OEI) in conjunction with the Elecnor Foundation and other entities such as Uruguay’s Ministry of Education and Culture through the Plan CEIBAL (Educational Connectivity for Basic IT Skills for Online Learning). The Prosegur Foundation now joins local companies, UTE and Montes del Plata, in this initiative.

The alliance between the Elecnor Foundation and the Prosegur Foundation is an example of the synergies which arise when business foundations collaborate to generate a greater impact in society and exchange good practices in this area.

Electricity and Internet for 66,000 schools in Latin America

The “Luces para Aprender Uruguay” project aims to tackle unresolved challenges, such as access to quality state education, poverty and inequality, as well as to contribute to the development and wellbeing of communities. To this end, the project will include information and communication technologies (ICTs) in teaching to try and put an end to the isolation of rural communities which have historically been left behind as regards technological advances. Over 66,000 schools in Latin America will be equipped with photovoltaic modules which will guarantee an electricity supply and computers with Internet access.

In addition to Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador and Bolivia participate in the “Luces para Aprender” project.

More educational schemes in Latin America

Prosegur is also active in the "Piecitos Colorados" development project to improve comprehensive education and the quality of life of youngsters from those disadvantaged communities in Latin America where the company operates. Begun in 2006, this initiative aims to reduce early school leaving and encourage sustainable development through the rehabilitation of schools, nutritional advice, better educational resources and greater awareness amongst families. This programme, which is run at another two schools in Uruguay with 186 children, is also in place in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru, benefitting over 4,300 children from 32 schools.