At Soap Aid, we often say that a small bar of soap can make a big difference. Thanks to our partnership with Good Neighbours Australia, that difference is now reaching thousands of children and families across rural Laos.
As part of the Better Life for Girls Program, more than 92,000 bars of Soap Aid recycled soap were distributed through local schools and village health centres, helping to improve hygiene, health and wellbeing in some of the country’s most remote communities.
This important initiative reached more than 9,000 students and community members, delivering not only soap, but also menstrual health kits, solar lights, warm blankets and health education resources. The program focuses on supporting girls and young women to stay healthy, remain engaged in education and access the resources they need to thrive.
You can read Good Neighbour Australia’s full report on the distribution here: Laos Distribution Report
Why Soap Matters
For many of us, soap is something we barely think about. It’s readily available in our homes, schools and workplaces.
But for millions of people around the world, access to soap remains a significant challenge.
Handwashing with soap is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease, support healthy childhood development, improve school attendance and contribute to better health outcomes across entire communities.
When soap is unavailable, preventable illnesses can spread quickly, particularly among children and vulnerable populations.
This is why every bar of soap recycled through Soap Aid’s Hotel to Hands and Camp to Community programmes is so valuable. What was once destined for landfill becomes a powerful tool for health, dignity and opportunity.
Supporting Girls Through Better Hygiene
Good Neighbour Australia’s Better Life for Girls Program was designed to address barriers that prevent girls from fully participating in education and community life.
In Laos, many girls and women in underserved communities face challenges accessing menstrual health products and hygiene resources. Through the program, Good Neighbours Laos distributed washable menstrual health kits alongside hygiene education, helping girls manage their health safely and confidently.
Soap plays a critical role in this effort. Combined with improved hygiene knowledge and access to other essential health resources, it helps create healthier learning environments and supports the wellbeing of students and their families.
One student who participated in the program shared:
“Before the session, I didn’t understand how to manage menstruation hygienically. After trying the DfG washable pads I found them comfortable, easy to use … and helpful for reducing costs.”
A Partnership Creating Lasting Impact
The success of this project demonstrates what can be achieved when charities, community organisations and businesses work together.
The District Education and Sport Office in Laos expressed its appreciation for the support provided through the initiative:
“The District Education and Sport Office would like to express its sincere appreciation for providing support to vulnerable families in Muen District through the distribution of Days for Girls Australia menstrual health kits, SolarBuddy lights, Wrap With Love blankets, and Soap Aid bars, which have greatly benefited our local residents.”
For Soap Aid, this donation represents much more than the delivery of soap. It demonstrates the circular economy in action, transforming a resource that would otherwise become waste into a practical solution that improves lives.
From Accommodation Bathrooms to Communities in Need
Every bar of soap distributed through this program began its journey in an accommodation property that chose to participate in Soap Aid’s recycling initiative.
Our accommodation partners collect partially used guest soap, which is then transported to our recycling facility in Victoria. There, the soap is sanitised, recycled and manufactured into brand-new bars that meet strict quality and safety standards before being donated to communities in need.
Through this simple process, hotels and accommodation providers can reduce waste, support sustainability goals and create meaningful social impact.
Join the Movement
The 92,000 bars distributed in Laos were only possible because accommodation providers chose to take action by not throwing waste hard soap into landfill.
If your hotel, resort, motel, camp, worksite, or accommodation uses hard bar soap amenities, you can help transform waste into health and hope for communities around the world.
By joining Soap Aid’s Hotel to Hands or Camp to Community soap recycling programmes, you will:
- Divert waste soap from landfill
- Support vulnerable communities with essential hygiene supplies
- Strengthen your sustainability and ESG outcomes
- Participate in a circular economy solution with measurable social impact
Every bar collected matters.
Ready to make a difference? Contact Soap Aid today to learn how your accommodation can join the Hotel to Hands or Camp to Community programme and help turn waste into opportunity, dignity and better health for communities in need.
