Transforming passion into impact: Maria's story

Times of crisis affect us all in different ways. For Maria, who lives in Barcelona, Spain, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the course of her life in an extraordinary way.

Finding a calling to serve the neglected and forgotten in society

In addition to her career as a lawyer at Zurich Insurance in Spain (Zurich Spain), Maria is an activist and volunteer. Every Thursday afternoon after work, she heads to the Babel Foundation office where she spends several hours engaged in pro bono work for people desperate for help and with no one to turn to.

Maria’s journey to becoming an activist began at the height of the pandemic when she came across people queueing at churches for free meals.  

Coincidentally, around the same time, Maria was reading a book titled The Winners – a story about a lawyer who had suffered from burnout - which left a lasting impression. Inspired by the author’s journey, Maria started using her professional skills as a volunteer to address the challenges people less fortunate than her face.

It was not easy to find pro bono volunteering, but Maria was finally able to source an opportunity to provide legal advice with the non-governmental organization, the Babel Foundation. With offices located in the under-privileged, low-income Raval neighborhood, the charity helps migrants deal with mental, psychological, and legal issues. Living conditions can be dire, with up to 12 inhabitants in a two-bedroom flat.

A support network for those in need

Spain does not provide funding for legal aid to immigrants, and so the services that the Babel Foundation offers are a lifeline to those who are forgotten and stigmatized. In the past four years, in part due to Maria’s volunteering, the service has grown, and demand has increased. She now runs a team of five volunteer lawyers who specialize in immigration, citizenship, labor laws, eviction, and most importantly helping people navigate Spain’s complex legal system.

“What is very powerful for me is knowing that people in my own city have zero income, live in terrible conditions and have no future”, says Maria. “It’s a large community. It’s easy to put yourself in their shoes. It could be me in another country if something goes wrong here.”

The NGOs in the area work collaboratively and refer those in need to each other. When legal advice is required, people are directed to the Babel Foundation.

One of the people Maria has helped came to her because he had lost an eye in an accident and was then fired from his job. “It’s so important for people to understand their rights, and their options. There’s also a large digital gap, some people have never filled out an online form” she explains.

 As to what motivates Maria, she says: “During Christmas and summer, when the Babel offices close, I feel like something is missing. This work has become so deep and core to my life that when I’m not doing it, I feel like I lose perspective and I miss it.”

Working with an Afghani construction worker who wanted to bring his family to Spain was a particularly moving experience for Maria. After enduring embassy closures and a detour to Iran he secured visas for his loved ones from the Spanish government thanks to Maria’s efforts. However, upon his return, his social assistance was revoked, and Babel’s support resulted in a successful outcome. Since then, he has found a new job, and his wife and son have safely arrived in Spain. It was an emotional experience in which Maria could see the impact of her work, and the lives it helped to transform.

Challenges, highlights, and takeaways

Something which stands out to Maria is the strength she sees in other women.

“They are the big fighters. Men are focused on finding work and are somewhat removed from legal processes, whereas women are the main drivers, fighting to integrate, and get the paperwork they need.”

Along the way, Maria’s experience both in volunteering and coordinating a team of volunteers has resulted in her finding better ways to get things done.

“I have learned to regulate skills-based volunteering efforts to make it sustainable and avoid burnout”, she shares. “Don’t ask too much of volunteers or it becomes a job and people already work full-time. Take things a step at a time, maintain balance and organize projects into smaller tasks.”.  

In 2023, Maria was recognized by the Z Zurich Foundation with a Community Hero Award, for her outstanding dedication and commitment to those in need. Through helping vulnerable people in search of a better life, Maria has gained profound insight into what it means to immigrate, and assimilate and the challenges and hardships that come with this process. Time and again, she shows up for those in extremely challenging situations bringing hope where there is despair and providing a voice for those who do not have one.

At Zurich Spain, community engagement and volunteering are embedded within high-level strategy and are actively encouraged and promoted. It has become a part of team building, development and a source of pride for Zurich Spain employees. This approach has opened up life-changing opportunities for employees, their communities and the people they help. 

Maria has positively impacted so many and in turn her volunteer experience has hugely impacted her. She highlights how volunteering has increased her empathy, endurance, gratitude, teamwork skills and much more. She adds, “this last part is pretty significant too, when you are a volunteer, it is never about you."