Special Projects
Guatemala Micro-Empowerment Project
QUETZALTENANGO, Guatemala -- With a grant from Timberland and after months of fundraising and planning, United Planet has opened a Laundromat for the Nuevos Horizontes women and children’s shelter in Xela, Guatemala. Residents and travelers can now help abused women in Guatemala to take back their lives by simply using the laundry service.
In Guatemala, domestic violence is very common. It is a patriarchal culture, where alcohol, poverty and a lack of government intervention exists. Battered women who wish to regain complete control of their lives have to overcome numerous difficulties where economic dependence is possibly the greatest limitation.
This Micro-Empowerment Laundromat Project's aim is to provide the shelter with steady revenue and offer battered women the training they need to foster self-reliance and independence – the essential tools to break the cycle of abuse. The women are empowered by taking responsibility for operating and managing the laundry business which gives them the work experience, technical skills, and self-esteem needed to compete in the job market and perhaps set up their own small businesses in the future.
“Many doors have been opened through this great team effort, beyond the doors of this Laundromat,” says David Santulli, United Planet founder and Executive Director. “I truly hope that everyone who comes into touch with this special Laundromat realizes the valuable lesson and example which it has given us: To have the boldness to dream.”
For more information on Volunteer Opportunities at the Laundromat, please visit the Guatemala Page.
If you would like to support this project and make a donation to United Planet, please call us toll-free at 1-800-292-2316, 617-267-7763, or click here. We appreciate your generosity.
“UP Receives Grant: Timberland Advances Special Project”. For more information click here.
Sadaaqa Initiative
The Sadaaqa Initiative combines meaningful volunteer placements with language study, excursions, and enriching cultural activities. This innovative approach to building cross-cultural awareness will also bring individuals and groups from the Middle East and Northern Africa to participate in cultural exchanges in the United States and other countries worldwide.
Update
Recent updates include the launch of Quest programs in Turkey and Jordan, and the exploring of programs in Egypt, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrein.
United Planet employs in-country coordinators to find host families and volunteer placements, and organize excursions and cultural activities.
Challenges
We have made significant progress in building these programs but still face challenges. We are still seeking to expand our network of NGO’s, companies, foundations, individuals and government partnerships, both in countries in which we are already active, and in those that we hope to include in the Sadaaqa Initiative in the future. Sponsors are also needed to provide financial and/or operational support for our programs, as well as publicity and media opportunities.
Get involved
Join us in this exciting and valuable undertaking. Through the Sadaaqa Initiative, United Planet furthers our commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and friendship beyond borders, while supporting communities in need.
If you would like to make a donation to support this project or are interested in becoming a country coordinator, please call us toll-free at 1-800-292-2316, 617-267-7763, or Email Katherine@unitedplanet.org
If you have any questions concerning UP fundraising, please do not hesitate to contact United Planet.
