One Spirit Wakpamni

In the Wapkamni District of the Pine Ridge Reservation, accessing basic services like laundry has long required families to travel 60–100 miles. Many households lack washing machines, and some do not have running water at all. This project supports the first and only laundromat in the Wakpamni District, serving nearly 6,000 residents and bringing a vital service closer to home for families, elders, and youth.

Solar power will play a critical role in ensuring this facility can operate affordably and reliably for years to come. By lowering energy costs, solar helps protect access to clean clothes—an essential foundation for health, dignity, school attendance, and employment—while reducing the financial and logistical burden of long-distance travel.

The planned 18 kW solar array is expected to generate approximately 25,672 kWh of clean electricity annually, avoiding an estimated 48,560 pounds of CO₂ emissions each year.

The laundromat is designed as more than a utility. It also functions as a youth-centered community space and is connected to a community garden, creating opportunities for connection, wellness, and care. In addition, the project supports workforce development by training local residents to maintain and repair equipment, keeping jobs, skills, and knowledge within the community.

By supporting this solar project, donors are investing in more than renewable energy. They are helping power dignity, reduce daily hardship, and strengthen a community that continues to lead with resilience, culture, and care.