We have begun operations at four laundries thanks to the Improving Hygiene Access in Shelling-Affected Areas in Sumska and Chernihivska Oblasts by Installing Social Laundries project. Residents of the Sadivska, Boromlianska, and Lebedynska communities in Sumska Oblast, as well as the Horodnianska community in Chernihivska Oblast, can already use them.
“This project is very important not only for the communities but also for our team. After all, the residents themselves and even the repair crew contributed to its implementation,” says project manager Khrystyna Oliinyk. “The Horodnianska community independently purchased additional building materials to set up the laundry, and the repair crew carried out all the additional work free of charge. A similar situation occurred in the village of Sad, where the community additionally bought a window, and the builders volunteered to install it pro bono. All this once again demonstrates the importance of such social laundries and the high demand for them.”
The Foundation’s team carried out basic renovations of the premises, each equipped with two washing machines, two dryers, and everything necessary for laundry care: detergents, cleaning kits, and a laundry cart. Each laundry has an administrative assistant on duty to help visitors. For convenience, there is a call button outside the entrance to summon a laundry staff member, in case someone needs assistance entering the premises.
More than five hundred people have already used the laundries. Among them is Tetiana from the Horodnianska community. A retired woman living alone, she is very pleased with the new services.
“I wash what I can by hand at home, I don’t have any help. But washing large items is very difficult for me. So I came here as soon as I heard about it. I washed blankets, bedspreads, and other things. I’m very satisfied with the laundry. Plus, it was nice to meet people and chat. Thank you for this support!” She shares her impressions with us.
If residents are unable to come to the laundry on their own, social workers help by collecting their laundry, washing it, and returning it back.
This project is funded as part of the Localization initiative of the Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH).