United Planet works to foster cross cultural understanding and address shared global challenges by sending volunteers to assist in community development projects in over 40 countries worldwide.  Their time and service comes as a great relief to understaffed community centers.

However, with no safety net or government bailout funds, the continued existence of our community partners is precarious. All it takes is one unforeseen emergency to derail the hard work of our partner orphanages, schools and clinics. A collapsed roof, a flood damaged school classroom, a sudden rent hike.

As part of our ongoing commitment to our community partners, and to ensure our volunteers’ work is sustained, financial assistance is often necessary to compensate for unforeseen emergencies. Your generous support will ensure that these communities have the support they require when they need it most.

The following projects need funds now:

Guatemala: Laundromat Needs Your Help!

In January 2008 United Planet established a Laundromat at a women's shelter in Quetzeltenango, the second largest city in Guatemala. Since its launch, the United Planet Laundromat “Lavanderia Planeta Unido” has striven to provide a sustainable source of revenue for the shelter which supports Guatemalan women and their children escaping domestic violence.  

Recently, the original landlord of the Laundromat has sold the building and the new landlord wishes to rent out the entire building to one tenant. The new landlord has also dramatically increased the monthly rent and requested that the Laundromat find a new location immediately.

As a result of this crisis, emergency funds are needed to offset the higher rental costs, costs of the move and preparation of the new site, including the installation of the washers and dryers.  Your contribution, big or small, will have a direct impact on this project and enable the Laundromat to continue to grow and serve the women and children of the shelter.

Ghana: Reaching out to a small village...

In 2006, United Planet established a partnership with the village of Avatime Biakpa, 300m east of Accra, Ghana. The school in Avatime Biakpa is severely understaffed as the government struggles to pay the teachers consistently, and from time to time all teachers go on strike harshly affecting the education of the children.  United Planet volunteers have been invaluable in assisting local teachers, teaching their own classes and arranging activities for the students and the community. 

In June, the village suffered a devastating storm that greatly damaged school’s roof. Since two of the rooms are now completely dysfunctional, the students have had to attend merged classes in the overcrowded remaining two rooms. The village of Avatime Biakpa is looking to us for help.  Any financial assistance you can provide to help the children of this village will be appreciated.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!