Maria Francisca Perelló: «With these initiatives, IVI RMA shows that it is committed to social causes, which is a benefit for all»
Every day we create life. A work as passionate as it is responsible, we carry the Sustainability steeped in our DNA. For this reason, during the celebration of 8th International IVIRMA Congress we asked all attendees what social project wanted us to allocate part of our aid and the result was clear: the Rafa Nadal Foundation was the winner. A foundation that develops its activity with a clear objective, to combine sport and education so that the little ones and adolescents can go as far as they want without being conditioned by their origin or personal or social conditions. They develop projects, in Spain and India, to accompany them, encouraging them to believe in their possibilities and capabilities, fostering in them values such as self-improvement, respect and effort.
We wanted to know a little more closely the work that they carry out daily from this foundation created by tennis player Rafael Nadal and his mother, Ana María Parera, and that is why we have approached to interview Maria Francisca Perelló, Director of Strategy and Institutional Relations of the foundation.
What is the purpose of the organization?
From the Rafa Nadal Foundation we work so that all children and young people have equal opportunities regardless of their personal, social, economic situation … And we do so by offering them the tools so that they can reach their maximum capacities and potential.
Our scope of action revolves around three areas: social integration of socially disadvantaged minors, care for young people with intellectual disabilities, and promotion of sports talent. What do the different projects and areas of action have in common? Well, all of them have sports as a tool for transmitting values and personal and social growth as their central axis.
How and why did the Rafa Nadal Foundation Center arise?
After several years carrying out projects in collaboration with other entities, in 2015 we inaugurated the Rafa Nadal Foundation Center; our first own project. There, one of our reference programs is taught, based on a methodology created ad hoc and the result of previous experience acquired, which includes three areas of work: sports, academic and psychotherapeutic.
We are committed to locating the center in one of the most vulnerable areas of Palma, where its inhabitants have difficulties in accessing work, few economic resources, lack of social skills, etc. We were convinced that in such an environment, our work could be of great help to many vulnerable children and families. I hope the day will come when we no longer need it …
What has been the impact of the project to date?
In addition to contributing to the improvement and revitalization of the neighborhood, we see every day how this project has a direct impact on the minors we serve, and on their families. The development of personal and social skills, improvement of academic performance and facilitating access to sports and healthy free time are some of the main results.
At the Rafa Nadal Foundation Center we serve more than 200 minors each school year, whom we directly influence. Even so, we understand our capacity for impact holistically, that is, our work not only reaches the minor beneficiary, but is also transmitted to their family environment and, consequently, to the community and the closest social environment.
The Rafa Nadal Foundation project was selected by the more than 1,600 doctors in the interactive voting of the IVIRMA Congress, what do you think about companies like IVIRMA betting on Sustainability and Social Action as a strategic axis?
It was a great satisfaction for us that our project, carried out at the Rafa Nadal Foundation Center, was the one selected by the participants in the IVIRMA Congress. With initiatives of this type, IVIRMA shows that it is committed to social causes, which in the end is a benefit for all.
Incorporating and promoting initiatives around sustainability and social action is an aspect that is becoming increasingly important in any company or organization. Aspects such as the preservation of the environment or the well-being of society should be part of any business strategy. For this reason, from the Rafa Nadal Foundation we value very positively the fact that IVIRMA supports these causes and we believe that it also serves as an example for other entities.
What will the donated 3,000 euros go to?
The donation from the IVIRMA Congress will be used to renew the equipment, both sports and academic, necessary for the day-to-day running of the center.
