PHILANTHROPIST
Luis Valls the philanthropist, in the words of others
The media archives often repeat that Luis Valls was not a typical banker, a man dedicated to finance but also a humanist with his own style. What many who knew him well as a banker did not know was that he was also a philanthropist, which is why this aspect of his life is barely mentioned in his obituaries.
Always a low profile
He would have wanted it that way, as he never sought protagonism or credit. This is true, and it is also true that he was tolerant, a lover of freedom, of deep Christian faith and always attentive to the needs of his those around him. He promoted education and study opportunities and was totally committed to people and their future. He helped without giving handouts. Here are some phrases and anecdotes that define this unknown side of Luis Valls:
“I could speak of the generosity with which he supported many social initiatives which I presented to him, from the student who needed a scholarship to train as an engineer in the United States and then return to his poor country to practice a profession that would benefit his fellow citizens, to that African bishop who found a helping hand in Luis Valls.”
Miguel Aranguren, writer 1
“Valls was a generous man who addressed the poverty and needs of many different types of people. He guided the bank’s social responsibility activity without fanfare and piloted its social efforts through foundations created for that purpose.”
Juan Pablo de Villanueva, journalist 2
“One day, he asked me if I had read an article published in El País about the actions of some auctioneers who had repossessed a house from a couple in a municipality in southern Madrid. After reading it, I commented: what a tough break. It would be a good thing to help them, he said – I never heard a direct order from him. And that’s what we did, with money, lawyers… in short, with discretion, which was how he liked to do things. It was hard because the couple in question couldn’t believe he didn’t want anything in return, not even to tell the journalist who had written the article. Today, they live peacefully in a home of their own.”
Ángel Rivera, former director of the Banco Popular presidency office 3
“He was a man of action – the strictly professional actions are visible to all – and I know that in everything related to helping others and worthy causes, he wanted to live by the evangelical counsel that one hand should not know what the other is doing. I can say he did many things with both hands, and they will become known over time.”
Ferrán Blasi, theologian, and journalist 4
“His way of understanding charity was to help by giving people opportunities, primarily with loans for education to receive more training. Valls made a fortune, but he gave that money away.”
Luis Herrero, journalist 5 (ver testimonio)
Beneficiaries of His Help
People who have seen their lives improve thanks to the help of the foundations promoted by Luis Valls also speak about this philanthropic side. For example, Alberto Muñiz Sánchez, better known as Tío Alberto, founder of the CiudadEscuela Muchachos (CEMU) in Leganés, a project that had Luis Valls’ support from the beginning. This educational and accomodation facility was founded in 1970 to shelter vulnerable minors (today, there are more than 400) and allow them to progress in an environment of respect, freedom, and love. Tío Alberto met Luis Valls in the 70s and they connected from the start. Both were passionate about helping others and soon worked together to provide a better life for children; they even gave him the nickname “a banker with sandals.”
The aid granted by Luis Valls through his foundations was in the form of loans, not outright gifts, but with flexibility in terms. With these loans, they developed a project that enthused both of them. According to Muñiz, Luis Valls also helped Enrique Castro6, known as “the red priest,” who devoted his life to helping young people overcome drug addiction and build themselves a future.
Tío Alberto recalls (see testimony) that Luis Valls was a beacon “because he was an example of being and acting, unlike others who talk but don’t act.” That’s why he repeatedly says thank you, thank you, and thank you, concluding that “Luis is still present in CEMU.”
There is also the case of Haruna Garba (a Togolese immigrant who studied at the Xabec vocational training center), who had to flee his country after becoming an orphan at just twelve years of age; after crossing all of Africa in the hope of living in Spain, he arrived in a makeshift boat at age sixteen. This is his story of gratitude (see testimony):
After a journey from the Canary Islands, Haruna arrived in Valencia, and his great fortune was finding a project like Xabec. He said it was more than a vocational training center: “I found a family; Xabec is love.” Today, this center has more than 1,500 students, thanks partly to loans from the foundations. After working there as an IT specialist for several years, this Togolese Muslim, now married and father of three children, has fulfilled his dream. He has built a school in his home country for orphaned children to have an opportunity without being forced to leave their homes: “There, they not only receive education but also breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” All this, he acknowledges, would not have been possible without the help of people like Luis Valls and his foundations, which is why he says with a big smile that “thanks to him, Xabec is one of the best schools in the world”.
For her part, María José Baños financial director of EDI (Educational and Development Initiatives) and Spanish aid worker in India, did not meet Luis Valls in person but, years later, learned that he was behind the scholarship she received to study in the United States. She gratefully testifies to the great importance that the grant had in her life: “For me, it was crucial, not just for studying, but to be able to help others in the future with my work.”
Where she works, her NGO has helped “more than 5,000 people, just in India,” and she acknowledges that the treatment and support from the foundations have been very professional, advising on project launches and following up throughout the process. While she was there, her NGO helped “more than 5,000 people, just in India,” She knows that those at the helm of the foundations drew their inspiration from Luis Valls: “All the people we have helped would say; Luis, thank you very much, you have opened a horizon for me, a future, and perhaps, more profoundly, you have made me understand that I am important, that I am a person” (see testimony).
Bibliography
(1) “No problem, Luis,” by Miguel Aranguren, writer, in Alba magazine (03/09/2006). (2) “Luis Valls, a successful banker,” by Juan Pablo de Villanueva, journalist, in Gaceta de los Negocios (02/27/2006). (3) “To Luis Valls,” by Ángel Rivera, former director of the Banco Popular presidency office, currently CEO of Santander Spain, in Expansión (02/27/2006). (4) “Lluís Valls Taberner: Speaking with Deeds,” by Ferrán Blasi, theologian and journalist, in Catalunya Cristiana (03/16/2006). (5) Video testimony of Luis Herrero about Luis Valls Taberner. As journalist Joana Bonet recalls in her column “El banquero y el cura,” published in La Vanguardia on 10/06/2007 (see annex).
