By Grupo Zeta.

The immense effort of these organizations turns a small gesture into an important action for the most disadvantaged

It is normal to see people, especially young people, stopped on the street, at the exit to the underground, clipboard in hand, trying with tremendous patience to call the attention of pedestrians for a minute to ask them to collaborate with the NGO for which they work. It is unappreciated and unrecognized work.

That’s why people’s collaboration is key to the work carried out by these local organizations. According to a report by the Coordinadora de ONG para el Desarrollo, more than 2.3 million people and businesses support them, from public and private funds to private donations. 77% of the resources collected are destined to humanitarian work in countries where they operate. The rest is goes here, to Spain for education of the world’s people, recruitment of members and donations, and maintenance of structure.

The importance of this help

It is essential to support these organizations and raise awareness of them. From here people join the cause, among them Banco Santander, through its Foundation. Last year, together they announced that, through the program Santander Ayuda, over the last three years that more than 1 million euros went to supporting the most vulnerable communities.

Thanks to its four callings, the program distributes 400,000 euros every year to around 80 national projects. Here are some of the lesser-known projects:

Fundació el Xiprer (Granollers)

A home that provides shelter and dignity for the most vulnerable people. The foundation offers a food bank, foster homes, and social soup kitchens destined for people who are ready to work but, who as consequence of discrimination or documentation problems, cannot. Likewise, they offer showers for those who are unable to cover their basic hygiene needs.

Viajes Tumaini (Madrid)

A group that facilitates trips of solidarity, international volunteerism, and internships. Its goal is to serve as a meeting place for volunteers who want to collaborate with projects around the world. They help them to choose the project, to arrange documents to travel to the selected country and, once there, offer them training so they are well adjusted and get the most out of the work.

Avismón (Barcelona)

The group focuses on the needs of the elderly, especially those who are more than 80 years old, those who live alone, without family, or far away from them, and receive a minimum pension. The volunteer goes at least once a week to his/her home, keeps him/her company, and takes them to do activities.

APRAMP (Madrid)

The Asociación para la Prevención, Reinserción y Atención a la Mujer Prostituida (Association for Preventing, Rejoining and Caring of Prostituted Women) works for victims of sexual exploitation to get back their freedom and dignity, making them able to take their lives back. The work of APRAMP helps to prevent and to put an end to the sexual exploitation and trafficking of women through the detection and identification of victims and the personal counseling needed for reinsertion into society and the workplace.