Educational Programs
Educational Programs
During the early years of Brother’s Brother Foundation, Mrs. Gussie Hingson, wife of BBF Founder Dr. Robert Hingson, would often accompany her husband on his medical mission trips overseas. In 1961, during one of these mission trips, Mrs. Hingson met Victoria Tolbert, the wife of former Vice President William R. Tolbert of Liberia. During this visit, it became apparent to Mrs. Hingson that countries such as Liberia lack adequate educational material in many if not all of their schools; and it was a result of this conversation that BBF’s Education Program was formed. One year later, in 1962, BBF’s first collection of 100,000 community-donated school texts was sent to Liberia.
Since that time, BBF has continued in Mrs. Hingson’s footsteps and has shipped over 96 million books to 112 countries all over the world. A large portion of these donations are made through partnership with US book publishing companies. By collaborating with international and domestic partner organizations, BBF is able to effectively distribute these books and educational materials to communities, schools, and students who truly need them.
During the early years of Brother’s Brother Foundation, Mrs. Gussie Hingson, wife of BBF Founder Dr. Robert Hingson, would often accompany her husband on his medical mission trips overseas. In 1961, during one of these mission trips, Mrs. Hingson met Victoria Tolbert, the wife of former Vice President William R. Tolbert of Liberia. During this visit, it became apparent to Mrs. Hingson that countries such as Liberia lack adequate educational material in many if not all of their schools; and it was a result of this conversation that BBF’s Education Program was formed. One year later, in 1962, BBF’s first collection of 100,000 community-donated school texts was sent to Liberia.
Since that time, BBF has continued in Mrs. Hingson’s footsteps and has shipped over 96 million books to 112 countries all over the world. A large portion of these donations are made through partnership with US book publishing companies. By collaborating with international and domestic partner organizations, BBF is able to effectively distribute these books and educational materials to communities, schools, and students who truly need them.
Brother’s Brother Foundation currently works with many organizations to send container shipments to various locations internationally. BBF requests that the costs of container shipments are borne by the recipient, however we may be able to offset the costs of shipping on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to request a container shipment, please view requirements below.
The requesting recipient must notify BBF of the material resources needed in the particular country. This document should be prepared by professionals and/or beneficiary participants with the knowledge of the needs in the country. In addition, complete and submit the Aid Request Form.
The following must be provided to BBF:
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- A statement indicating that the donated goods will be distributed at no cost to the ultimate recipient.
- Documentation identifying the sponsoring organization’s and recipient’s charitable status such as 501(c)(3) certification or non-governmental organization (NGO) in the United States.
- Certificate of registration from overseas partner agency.
- An official document from the recipient country’s government stating the organization or institution has duty-free status for the goods being shipped (imported). Please submit any background literature, brochures, annual reports and other information describing the organizations involved.
- It may be the responsibility of the recipient/sponsoring organization to cover the costs associated with the shipment (in-land and ocean transportation and BBF program service fee).
- If the material being requested by the recipient country will be used within a national and/or community development plan, BBF requires a copy of this plan that outlines the distribution process, duration of plan and evaluation process of the effectiveness.
- Documentation stating that there are warehouse or storage facilities available for the shipment must be provided.
- Recipients must provide complete consignee information, including a contact person, address, telephone and fax numbers and email address. The consignee must be capable of clearing the container through customs and providing appropriate logistical in-country support.
- Once distributed, the recipient organization is required to provide BBF with distribution reports and other documentation such as photographs, newspaper articles and letters supporting the effort by appropriate officials and professionals.
The recipient is required to confirm its request for material selected from the BBF provided inventory list in writing. The list provided will include relative information such as product description, quantities on hand, dating information and any distribution restrictions.
Education Program Statistics
Education Program Statistics
Program Timeline
1961 – Program formed by Gussie Hingson at the suggestion of Victoria Tolbert, wife of William R. Tolbert Vice President of Liberia.
1962 – First collection of 100,000 school texts sent to Liberia, West Africa at the expense of the U.S. government by special order of President John F. Kennedy.
1962 – 1980 – Collected and distributed almost 1,000,000 requested texts to students in Liberia, Turkey, Ghana, etc. (over 90% provided by school districts).
1981 – 2000 – Distributed over 43,000,000 school books to students in 70 countries
(over 90 % of texts provided by publishers).
2001 – 2016 – Distributed over 56,523,500 requested texts to students in 95 countries
(over 90% of texts provided by publishers).
Countries Served
Total number of books distributed 1960-2017: 100,545,555.
Estimated value of books distributed: $3,484,860,543.
Weight of books distributed: 54,170 tons.
In Total: 25,000,000 students served in over 50,000 schools and libraries.
Represented In The Following Countries:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antigua/Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Chile
- China
- Columbia
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Czech Republic
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent’s Island
- Sudan
- Swaziland
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Tonga
- Trinidad
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United States
- Uzbekistan
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yugoslavia
- Zaire/Rwanda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Top Recipient Countries
Jamaica – 25,834,823 books
Philippines – 16,709,955 books
United States – 6,506,857 books
Guyana – 5,588,124 books
Ghana – 3,003,188 books
Zimbabwe – 2,423,402 books
Liberia – 1,999,230 books
El Salvador - 1,874,901 books
Ethiopia – 1,676,280 books
South Africa - 1,485,348 books
Distribution by Region
Caribbean – 29,003,992 books
Asia – 20,314,112 books
Africa – 18,086,285 books
Latin America – 11,869,850 books
United States – 6,506,857 books
Eastern Europe – 3,023,194 books
Make A Monetary Contribution
Frequently AskedDonation Questions
All donations must be pre-approved and meet our guidelines to make sure your donations are accepted.
Donations We Accept
- Pharmaceuticals and supplies from manufacturers
- Over-the-counter medication (expiration must be over a year away)
- Short-dated pharmaceuticals from manufacturers*
- Short-dated medical supplies*
- Hospital beds and equipment from facilities
- Walkers, canes, crutches, bedside commodes, shower chairs, etc.
- Wheelchairs, non-electric preferable
*Twelve months or more remaining until expiration.
Donations We Cannot Accept
- Items that have not been completely sanitized and cleaned
- Expired items or items that will expire in less than six months (unless specifically requested by the recipient organization)
- Prescriptions that have been issued to an individual
- Most high-tech equipment (call to be sure)
- Equipment in need of repair
For more information, please email mail@brothersbrother.org or call 412-321-3160.
All donations must be pre-approved and meet our guidelines to make sure your donations are accepted.
Donations We Accept
- Used books in excellent condition
- Library and fiction books in excellent condition
- Textbooks, non-fiction books and reference materials with a copyright date less than 10 years old
- New office and school supplies (i.e. paper, pens, pencils, etc.)
Donations We Cannot Accept
- Textbooks, non-fiction books and reference materials with a copyright date older than 10 years
- Damaged books
- Religious materials
- Journals
- Magazines
- Encyclopedias
For more information, please email us at education@brothersbrother.org or email 412-321-3160.
All donations must be pre-approved and meet our guidelines to make sure your donations are accepted.
Note: In disaster situations the following list of items may change to accommodate the needs of those affected.
Donations We Accept
- New personal care/hygiene items (expiration must be at least one year away)
- New over-the-counter medication (expiration must be at least one year away)
Donations We Cannot Accept
- Used clothing
- Food items
For more information, please email mail@brothersbrother.org or call 412-321-3160.
Make A Monetary Contribution
Frequently AskedDonation Questions
All donations must be pre-approved and meet our guidelines to make sure your donations are accepted.
Donations We Accept
- Pharmaceuticals and supplies from manufacturers
- Over-the-counter medication (expiration must be over a year away)
- Short-dated pharmaceuticals from manufacturers*
- Short-dated medical supplies*
- Hospital beds and equipment from facilities
- Walkers, canes, crutches, bedside commodes, shower chairs, etc.
- Wheelchairs, non-electric preferable
*Twelve months or more remaining until expiration.
Donations We Cannot Accept
- Items that have not been completely sanitized and cleaned
- Expired items or items that will expire in less than six months (unless specifically requested by the recipient organization)
- Prescriptions that have been issued to an individual
- Most high-tech equipment (call to be sure)
- Equipment in need of repair
For more information, please email mail@brothersbrother.org or call 412-321-3160.
All donations must be pre-approved and meet our guidelines to make sure your donations are accepted.
Donations We Accept
- Used books in excellent condition
- Library and fiction books in excellent condition
- Textbooks, non-fiction books and reference materials with a copyright date less than 10 years old
- New office and school supplies (i.e. paper, pens, pencils, etc.)
Donations We Cannot Accept
- Textbooks, non-fiction books and reference materials with a copyright date older than 10 years
- Damaged books
- Religious materials
- Journals
- Magazines
- Encyclopedias
For more information, please email us at education@brothersbrother.org or email 412-321-3160.
All donations must be pre-approved and meet our guidelines to make sure your donations are accepted.
Note: In disaster situations the following list of items may change to accommodate the needs of those affected.
Donations We Accept
- New personal care/hygiene items (expiration must be at least one year away)
- New over-the-counter medication (expiration must be at least one year away)
Donations We Cannot Accept
- Used clothing
- Food items
For more information, please email mail@brothersbrother.org or call 412-321-3160.