Help that comes from within

• Javier, Dòmenec and Arancha are three of CaixaBank's 20,200 volunteers who have helped improve the lives of more than 430,000 people in vulnerable situations across Spain

In a world marked by immediacy and constant change, the reality of those around us often goes unnoticed. In addition, the rise in the cost of living and inequalities has broadened the range of social needs, affecting people from very different backgrounds.

In this scenario, solidarity and volunteering are becoming more urgent and necessary than ever. “If I was going through a complex situation, I would like to receive help”, says Javier Muñoz, one of the 20,200 CaixaBank volunteers who, in 2024, contributed to improving, albeit a little, the lives of more than 430,000 people in a situation of vulnerability across Spain thanks to the organisation of nearly 30,000 solidarity activities across the entire geography.

This 58-year-old Zaragozan began his venture with CaixaBank Voluntariado the year this initiative was launched, in 2005. Since then, he has continued to collaborate on projects linked to social dining establishments or to give financial education workshops for young people or people in situations of vulnerability.

With a life dedicated to social action, among all the stories he has lived through, is that of a very special person to him, Malik. “I met Malik four years ago, at a very difficult time, as he was living on the street”, he explains with excitement.

“Thanks o your willingness and to your spirit of overcoming difficulties, I helped you learn Spanish, to obtain your residence permit and, subsequently, to find a job and a home,” Javier says, while highlighting that there were many times when Malik thought about returning to Senegal because it was difficult for him to see that change was possible. But he didn't give up. Partly thanks to Javier's support and advice. “I will always remember the day that Malik obtained his residence permit and sent me a photo of his NIE”.

Photo of CaixaBank volunteer Javier Muñoz in Zaragoza with Malik at a football match.

But the story of Malik and Javier transcends the barrier of volunteering. The initial help has since become a nice friendship. “The cycle of life has brought us together,” comments Javier, who tells us that they always go to the Romareda to see Real Zaragoza’s matches.

The spirit of volunteering is also exemplified in Domènec Toquero, a former employee of the bank who has dedicated his entire life to helping others. “I have participated in support activities, school reinforcement, environmental actions and digitisation programmes”, she lists with a broad and comforting smile.

As a member of the CaixaBank Volunteering delegation in Barcelona, for the last ten years she has focused on collaborating in social dining establishments in Barcelona and offering support and food to people in situations of vulnerability.

Although she has accumulated countless stories and anecdotes, Domènec remembers the moments lived with the youngest in their visits to amusement parks. “It is indescribable to see the happiness in their faces when they go to the rides, and they tell you that this is the best day of their life, which is something really special for me, because it reminds me how lucky we are", she says with emotion.

Aware of the importance of social work at present, Domènec emphasises the intrinsic and sentimental component of social action. “Everyone who volunteers does it because we are born and that's how we feel”. In addition to returning part of what you have received, Domènec describes volunteering as a gift that has given you your life.

Photo of CaixaBank volunteer Domènec Toquero in Catalonia with a group of children in PortAventura (Tarragona).

Of the same opinion is Arancha Tomé. “The feeling of being hugged or given a hand cannot be described in words”, she says. Throughout this year, together with the other 26 CaixaBank volunteers that make up the Tejer Esperanza group in Seville, they have woven blankets for elderly people and mothers in situations of vulnerability, and they have given point and hook workshops for families and children hospitalised, among many other activities.

The project, as Arancha says, began in 2018 with the aim of allowing the parents and children hospitalised at the Virgen del Rocío Hospital in the Spanish capital to escape and smile in complicated moments. “The reception was so good that, since then, we have not stopped doing all kinds of activities, from teaching point and hook courses in children's centres or in prisons, to making prosthetics for breast cancer patients. Our objective is Tejer Esperanza”, she says.

“You realise that spending part of your time impacts the lives of others”, says the Sevillian volunteer. The work of these weavers is another example of the 29,935 activities organised by the financial institution last year and to which 20,200 volunteers, employees, family members of employees and CaixaBank customers were added.

In addition to feeling an urgent need to help others, Arancha deeply admires each and every one of her 26 colleagues: “the work of my colleagues is admirable. They put all their love and dedication, and you can see that in their faces and in their words.”

"I would encourage everyone to take part in volunteering activities because you receive much more than you give", she concluded, emphasising that all help, however small it may seem, contributes to creating a fairer world with equal opportunities.

Image of the CaixaBank volunteer in Sevilla Arancha Tomé who participates in the project Tejer Esperanza.

Voluntariado CaixaBank 2024