Not Just Tourists – Ottawa collects surplus medicines and medical supplies for use in Cuba and other countries in need.
Canadians travelling on business or vacation deliver these much-needed supplies to medical facilities at their travel destinations.
We are a volunteer-based, non-political, not-for-profit project, patterned after Not Just Tourists groups in the
St. Catharines (Niagara) and Toronto regions.
A country clinic typical of where NJT medical aid is delivered
Letters from the Front
All letters are reproduced with the permission of the authors
From N'ghoé, Sénégal
We are back from our trip to Sénégal. We had a wonderful time. Thanks again for sending medical supplies to the "poste de santé" in the village of N'ghoé. The two suitcases filled with supplies were greatly appreciated.
Thanks again.
Submitted by Nicole Richard
From Havana, Las Terrazas, and Vinales, Cuba
We are happy to say that all 3 of the medical suitcases prepared for us were delivered to very pleased individuals. Only one of us got stopped at the Cuban airport to have the suitcase verified but it was quick and easy.
Our first stop was in Havana. We tried to leave the first suitcase at the "Hospital Docente Clinico Quirurgoco Nacional Calixto Garcia" but with no luck. They could not accept the suitcase because of Hospital policy. You may want to remove this location from your list.
Our taxi driver was lovely enough to drive us to a smaller clinic in the area and the nurses and doctor were extremely happy to take the suitcase. They had 2 other empty suitcases stored on top of a cabinet from previous donations.
We left the second suitcase in Las Terrazas. The third one was left in Vinales. In all three locations the staff took the time to look through the supplies with great enthusiasm.
Humanitarian deed gone good.
Submitted by Danika Burelle
From Havana, Cuba
We're back from what was a wonderful and inspiring trip to Cuba. We travelled around the bulk of the island and quickly realized why so many people fall in love with the country–it's an intoxicating and paradoxical place full of warm people, fabulous propaganda, and lush with exotic vistas.
Lydia and I dropped the suitcases off at La Rampa Clinic as planned. The doctor/vice-director there was delighted to receive the suitcases. I asked her to write up a list of items that the clinic needed and she provided me with a small and near indecipherable list of what she would like the clinic to have (in Spanish naturally). I hope you have an easier time unravelling the mystery than I did.
Have a wonderful summer and thanks for all your hard and noble work!
Best wishes, Jen
Submitted by Jen Gibbs
Photo used with permission from Brigit Nagy