SEAT Annual Report 2011 - Volkswagen AG

ALICIA JARILLOHELPING THE NEEDYFor most people the summer holidays are the most longawaitedperiod of the year, a chance to forget about work, rest,and relax at the beach or in the countryside. But that’s nothow Alicia Jarillo sees it. Alicia works for SEAT in the HumanResources department, where she is responsible for the carbody paint staff. For the past several years, she has beenspending her holidays travelling around the world to help thosein most need.“On this kind of trip you don’t just go to enjoy the beautifullandscapes or explore new cultures, but to share a bit of yourknowledge, experience and work with others”, she says. Eversince she was a young girl, her upbringing at home and atschool led her to begin collaborating with social organizationsand religious associations in Madrid. Now she has less time tovolunteer so she spends her holidays on solidarity missions.“Even if the things I do have a low impact on others, that’senough to make me happy”.Alicia describes herself as dynamic and active. Sheloves the diversity surrounding her job, especially SEAT’scharacteristic mix of Spanish and German cultures. “Twodifferent work methods are a positive, enriching contrast”.But what she most likes about her job is the direct contactshe has with workers, exactly the same as in her private life.That’s why she began travelling on cooperation missions in2007, starting with Croatia, for the Missionaries of Charity,followed by Bolivia, where she went while studying todevelop a business plan for a beekeeping cooperative. Lastsummer she visited the congregation led by Sister Mandalain Pondicherry, India. She says she has learnt a lot from eachand every trip, but most remembers the children’s laughter.“You don’t understand or discover the real meaning ofgenerosity, selflessness and tolerance until you visitthose countries and see the situation those kids live in foryourself”.Alicia is already preparing this summer’s solidarity trip. Wherewill it be? “Probably a Central American country this time. Butthe place doesn’t matter as much as the personal experience ofhelping someone who needs it the most”.40 | ANNUAL REPORT 2011 | ACCESSIBILITY