Lavandería Planeta Unido Celebrates First Anniversary

Lavandería Planeta Unido celebrated its first year in business on January 11th. The Micro-empowerment Laundromat Project started as a collaboration between United Planet and the ANH Battered Women’s Shelter in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, as a way to provide funding for the shelter and offer vocational training to residents. The one year anniversary was marked by a small ceremony and presentation of a special birthday cake, attended by the staff, volunteers and supporters of the shelter.

Since its opening in January 2008, Lavandería Planeta Unido has provided employment for four women full time, plus two part time jobs for adolescents living in the shelter. Haydee was one of the first women to work there when the laundromat opened. She said “I’m proud to have worked here and to have provided a good service, it’s been a great experience.”Haydee lived in the shelter for a year with her seven children and, after saving enough money, moved on to a new house in another town. Currently, Zuyapa, another long-term shelter resident, runs the laundromat. An average day for her begins at 8 am when she picks up laundry at several local language schools that use the delivery service. The three washers and three dryers are then in constant use until lunch time when the laundromat closes at 6pm. Zuyapa, who is 18, says “I like working here because I like to talk to people, and it helps me fund my studies. I don’t work here on Saturdays as I go to college.”

But of course, it’s not all been plain sailing as anyone who has any experience of setting up a business will know. There have been many additional challenges, such as a break-in that resulted in the theft of a washing machine and occasional power cuts and water shortages. But this is all part of working in Guatemala. Lavanderia Planeta Unido has survived and continues to do well.