The financial director of EDI (Educational and Development Initiatives), María José Baños, had dreamed of helping others since childhood. When she arrived in India and saw firsthand the poverty that plagued the cities, she got to work. ‘Just arriving there and seeing how many children were on the streets, how many people had nothing, in pure misery, I thought: I have to do something; I have received so much, and there is so much to do and give.’

María José acknowledges that the number of people needing support struck her. Her inability to offer them all the opportunities she wished left her powerless: ‘I have cried for the people because you would like to do so much more, and you can’t always.’

Thanks to her efforts and the support of the foundations, various projects were carried out to improve thousands of people’s professional and personal futures. One of these is aimed at young women from impoverished and illiterate families: for a year, they learn the trade of cutting and sewing and then start selling their collections—traditional Indian outfits they design themselves—and wedding dresses for women from neighboring villages. ‘You don’t know the happiness of these girls when they see they could earn some money to support their families, thanks to their effort.’

Although she never met Luis Valls in person, María José later learned that he was behind the scholarship she received to study in the United States. Grateful, she recounts the significant impact that aid had on her life: ‘I am eternally grateful because it was a key moment for me, not only for studying but for making me aware that I could help others in the future with my work.’

While on the ground, her NGO has helped ‘more than 5,000 people, just in Northern India.’ She explains that the support and guidance from the foundations, crucial for effectiveness, have been very professional, advising both in project launches and monitoring the process.

Moreover, she acknowledges the inspiration of Luis Valls in all the help received from the benefactor foundations and states that all the people who have been helped (in India and Sri Lanka) would say: ‘Luis, thank you so much; you have opened a horizon, a future, and perhaps more deeply, you have made me understand that I am important, that I am a person. Thank you.’