The corridors of the dormitory in Lebedyn, Sumska Oblast, which recently became a shelter for displaced persons, are teeming with activity. For nearly a month now, a social laundry has been operating on the first floor, offering free laundry services. It was created to meet the basic hygiene needs of people facing difficult life circumstances.
“We arrived at this dormitory not long ago. There was no choice — evacuation was mandatory. Our native village, Krasnopillia, is very close to the border, and it’s extremely dangerous there,” says 69-year-old pensioner Valentyna, who relocated here with her husband.
She admits that the decision to move was difficult, as she had spent her entire life in Krasnopillia — working there, raising her children there, and leaving behind her home. However, she and her husband did not expect life in the new place to be so comfortable.
“When we arrived at this shelter, we were impressed by the good conditions. As it turned out, there’s even a laundry here. The dormitory supervisor collects our dirty clothes and quickly returns them clean and dry. This is a huge help in our current situation, as I can’t even imagine how I would manage to wash everything by hand,” says Valentyna.
The social laundry in Lebedyn is part of the Improving Hygiene Access in Shelling-Affected Areas in Sumska and Chernihivska Oblasts by Installing Social Laundries project. Basic renovations were carried out here, with two washing machines and two dryers installed, along with cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, and special laundry carts. According to Nina Cherniavska, regional coordinator of the Foundation in Sumska Oblast, when the laundry was first set up, the dormitory did not yet house so many displaced persons, but it is now completely filled with people who had to flee their homes due to the war.
“At first, the laundry was created for the local community, but over time, we saw how essential it became for the displaced persons in the dormitory. They use it actively every day, because they have no other way to do their laundry. People are very pleased — this may be the only dormitory with such conveniences,” notes Nina Cherniavska.
It is worth noting that the social laundry is available free of charge to all residents of the Lebedyn community, including elderly people, people with disabilities, large families, and others in need of social support.
The Improving Hygiene Access in Shelling-Affected Areas in Sumska and Chernihivska Oblasts by Installing Social Laundries project is funded under the Localization initiative of the Polish Humanitarian Action. (PAH)