Pilar Cuesta
Coordinator
A retired teacher and one of the three founders. She coordinates the groups and liaises with the schools.
Nonprofit association · Toledo
No child in the neighbourhood is left alone in the afternoon
After-school support, snacks and activities for 140 children in three Toledo neighbourhoods. With 32 volunteers and our accounts in plain sight.
88% of every euro goes straight to the programme with the children.
Who we are
We started with six children in a parish hall
Raíces Abiertas began in 2011 when three retired teachers started tutoring the children of their former pupils in the afternoons. Today we're an association with two paid staff and 32 volunteers.
We work with the schools and the council's social services, and families pay nothing.
- 140 children every afternoon, Monday to Friday
- Audited accounts published every January
- 88% of what we raise goes straight to the programme
Last year
Figures from the 2025 report, audited by an external firm.
140
Children supported
Across three Toledo neighbourhoods
21,400
Snacks served
Every school afternoon
32
Volunteers
With annual training
88%
Goes straight to the programme
The rest: admin and premises
What we do
Every Saturday, an outing. No experience needed; the association provides the kit.
Your help is an afternoon with the homework done
With €15 a month you cover one child's materials and snacks for the whole school year.
10 €per monthSchool supplies for one child for the whole year.Become a member15 €per monthSnacks and materials for one child every school afternoon.Become a member30 €per monthA full afternoon of tutoring for a group of six children.Become a member
88% of what we receive goes straight to the programme. The rest keeps the Calle Mayor premises and admin running. We publish audited accounts here every January.
Become a memberDonations are tax deductible up to 80% in Spain. We send you the certificate in January.
Our history
Fifteen years growing slowly and debt-free.
2011
Six children and three teachers
We started in the San Andrés parish hall, with donated materials and plenty of improvisation.
2016
Our first own premises
The council granted us a ground-floor space on Calle Mayor and we went from 20 to 60 children.
2020
Emergency food service
During lockdown we delivered 4,800 meals to homes with 40 volunteers.
2024
Declared a public-interest body
Official recognition allowed us to improve the tax relief for those who support us.
The team
Two paid staff and a board that receives no pay.
Youssef El Amrani
Social educator
He works with the teenagers in the programme and with families in the Santa Bárbara neighbourhood.
Carmen Ortega
Treasurer · volunteer
A retired economist. She prepares the annual accounts and deals with the external auditor.
Lucía Ferrer
Volunteering coordinator
She organises the rota for our 38 volunteers and welcomes everyone who joins.
Volunteering and contact
If you'd like to help two afternoons a month, or you run a company that wants to help, write to us and we'll call.
- hola@raicesabiertas.org
- +34 600 000 000
- Calle Mayor 41, ground floor, 45002 Toledo, Spain