In the long run, our vision is that books will be an important part of Lao culture, parents will have enough income to buy books for their children, and a company like Big Brother Mouse can be self-sustaining. Right now, when the median annual income in Laos is about $500-$600 U.S. per year, we cannot make books widely available without help.

In most cases, the simplest and best way to donate is through the Laos Literacy Project, a non-profit, tax-exempt 501-c-3 organization in the United States. Click this button to donate, using PayPal or a major credit card, through the secure PayPal site. If you would prefer to donate directly, with a bank transfer, please read further.

From Australia:

Australian taxpayers may receive a tax deduction by donating through the Global Development Group. Please click here for details.

$250-$400 U.S. will sponsor a mini-library and book party.

We'll go to a rural village, talk about books, and give 50 to 300 children the first book they've ever owned. Then we'll leave another 80 books for the school library, if there is one, or with the teacher, to make available for reading. (Donate whatever amount in this range is right for you; it costs us less to go to smaller and closer villages than those that are larger or more distant.) See what happens at a book party!

$1,000-$3,500 U.S. will sponsor a new book.

Each new book costs about $1,800-$6,000 U.S., but we can pay some of that from sales. A sponsorship of just $1,000-$3,500 U.S. is all that's needed to bring a new book into Laos. Books that need sponsors.

How to donate

By major credit card or PayPal: You may use the button at the top of the page to donate to the Laos Literacy Project, a non-profit, tax-exempt (501-c-3) organization in the USA. For American taxpayers, these contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Laos Literacy Project was created to provide support for Big Brother Mouse and our work in Laos. It is volunteer-staffed. The small overhead costs of the organization are paid by the founders; all of your donation, except for the standard fee taken by credit card companies, will go to Big Brother Mouse in Laos.

By check (US dollars): Donations can also be made by check to the Laos Literacy Project. For American taxpayers, they are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

To donate: Checks may be sent to:
        Laos Literacy Project
        10 Tremont St., Suite 200
        Boston, MA 02108
        United States
Please enclose your name, address, and email address if available, and make checks payable to Laos Literacy Project.

By bank transfer: Donations can be made by bank transfer directly to Big Brother Mouse in Laos. Because of the bank fees involved (which vary by bank and by country), this is usually best when you are donating more than $1,200, and you will not benefit from U.S. or Australian tax deductions.

To donate: Here is the information your bank will need:
    Beneficiary Bank:
      Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao
      No.1 Pangkham St., Vientiane Lao PDR.
      *(P.O. Box 2925)
      Account no: 050-9-12-01-02705
      Swift code: COEBLALA
      *Bank Tel: (856 21) 213200, 213201, 223243, Fax: (856 21) 213202
      *Email:bcelhovt@etllao.com
    Recipient's Name:
      Big Brother Mouse
      Ban Vat Nong, Luang Prabang Province
      *(856) 71 254-937
    (*Asterisked items are not are not normally requested or needed, but requirements sometimes vary by bank or country.)

Reporting

We like to know who's helping us get books to kids in Laos! If you use the PayPal DONATE button above, we'll know. PayPal provides your name and email address. We will record your donation, in your name.

If you donate in any other way (a transfer to our bank; a check mailed to Laos Literacy Project; or through the Global Development Fund), and would like us to record the donation in your name, please send us an email after you make the donation, giving the amount, date, your name, and how the donation was made (for example, "by credit card to Global Development Group". This is particularly necessary if you are sponsoring a book (we want to thank you, unless you prefer to remain anonymous), or if you're sponsoring a book party and would like to get a report about it, or would like to attend. Thank you!