Brother’s Brother Foundation (BBF) and longstanding partner Food for the Poor (FFTP) have been partnering to support those in need in the Dominican Republic (DR) for more than fifteen years.  In the DR, nearly 25% of the population or over 2.5 million people live in poverty without access to basic necessities like medicine and food, or basic household items like mattresses.

BBF and FFTP work with in-county partner Fundacion Cruz Jiminian (FCJ), a nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 1992 with a mission of enhancing health, social welfare, and environmental sustainability in the Dominican Republic.  FCJ runs the Cruz Jiminian Clinic, which is located in the Cristo Rey area of Santo Domingo, an area known for being one of the city’s most dangerous and characterized by poverty, crime, and limited opportunities for residents.  

After reviewing the contents of the offer and indicating which items could be used, BBF prepared and FFTP shipped a 40’ container of medicine, medical and humanitarian supplies, and other equipment to FCJ in Santo Domingo.  This shipment consisted of medication like antibiotics and blood pressure medicine; durable medical equipment for hospital and home use such as canes, crutches, and bedside commodes; hospital equipment like IV poles and beds; medical supplies like gowns, gloves, diapers, and bandages; as well as brand new mattresses donated by Joerns Healthcare, a longstanding donor to BBF of items such as hospital beds, mattresses, and other equipment. 

The shipment left BBF’s warehouse in Pittsburgh in late July and upon arrival in the Dominican Republic was distributed to individuals and families in need as well as to hospital and healthcare clinic partners.  The distributions reached Santo Domingo, Hato Mayor, Puerto Plata, Samana, Tamayo, Bahoruco, Cabral, and Barahona, and other provinces.  

Among the health care facilities that received items were Hospital Leopoldo Martinez (medicines, medical supplies, and orthopedic equipment), Hospital Engombe (medicine, medical and orthopedic supplies, and orthopedic equipment), Hospital de Cabral (orthopedic equipment, medicines, and medical supplies), Hospital Vinicio Calventi (medicines), Hospital Municipal Julia Santana (medicines), Hospital Alberto Grautear (orthopedic equipment, medicines, medical supplies, and household items), Hospital Padre Billini (medicines, medical supplies, and orthopedic equipment), and Maternidad Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia (medicines).  

In addition to supporting hospitals, the donations went to individuals and families through the Social Program of FCJ.  One of the recipients of two brand new mattresses from Joerns said, “these mattresses have been a blessing.  We used to sleep so poorly on our broken bed, but now the children and I can rest comfortably.”  

BBF and our partners remain committed to sending requested and needed items to our partner organizations in the Dominican Republic and globally.