By Madison Jordan Mariano Vinagura, owner of America del Sur hostel in Buenos Aires, has been a client of the Laundry Project since its beginning, and he has no plans of taking his business elsewhere. Vinagura’s hostel opened in 2009, around the same time that the Laundry Project kicked off. Laundry Project co-founder Armin Díaz approached Vinagura, and after comparing the Project to other lavanderias, Vinagura said he knew the Project was the way to go. Prices aside, Vinagura expressed that his employment of the Project's services comes down to trust. Vinagura said that he knew after meeting Díaz that he “is a really nice guy,” and not much later they formed a healthy business relationship. After a period of time, neither party had experienced any issues with the other. The two happily continue their arrangement to this day. There are 90 beds in América del Sur, and cleanliness as a strong value the hostel staff believes in when serving its guests. Sheets and towels are picked up every morning and delivered every afternoon by the Laundry Project personnel. Both parties have grown quite close, Vinagura explained, because the same people always pick up and deliver. His staff and the Project’s have gotten to know and depend on one another. It is a positive relationship built upon a foundation of great service. According to Vinagura, the Laundry Project excels in cleanliness, timeliness and responsibility. The sheets are always impeccable, thoroughly cleaned and nicely ironed. The pick up and delivery service is always on time, and there has never been an issue of delay. Finally, the students are responsible beyond their years. Vinagura explained that they are very dependable and always get the job done on schedule. Vinagura is also confident in the Laundry Project’s client loyalty. With time, he said, “they have evolved.” However their prices have not. Vinagura reflected upon his relationship with Díaz, “I trust him. I know he’s not over-charging me even though the sheets, blankets and towels are always the best.” When asked about his understanding of society’s benefit from the Laundry Project, Vinagura described the Project as “one for people that need it. They fulfill the need, and they do it properly. “They are helping people find jobs and go to school, and making more jobs available.” He is excited about what the Project is doing, and he explained that these young men and women “would not find another job if they did not have this one.” As Vinagura said that he would absolutely recommend the Laundry Project’s service to friends or other hostel services, his promotion is unnecessary. There are currently five hostels on the waiting list to employ the Laundry Project, however there is not enough machinery to complete the work. As the Laundry Project is currently seeking donations, it looks forward to hiring new disadvantaged youth in the future. Vinagura stated that the Laundry Project “is not just a business, it is different. And I like knowing that we are a part of it.” As a brainchild of the NGO Voluntario Global, the Laundry Project relies fully on the generosity of donors and volunteers. To enable expansion for the project to serve more hostels and employ at-risk youth for education opportunities, please donate at the link below. Vinagura’s enthusiasm for the Laundry Project shows that it is more than just a lavanderia, it is an agent for social change specializing in top-quality customer service. Together, we can make a difference. Donate now