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

Update on Not Just Tourists – Ottawa activity

Even though Not Just Tourists – Toronto has suspended its operations, NJT – Ottawa and other NJT projects across Canada are still gathering medicine and medical supplies and sending those items to countries in need. Each NJT project operates independently, so please contact the NJT nearest you (see under "Contact Us").

See Ottawa Citizen article, "Group's relief efforts continue: Surplus drugs and medical gear are being sent to Haiti"
By Robert Bostelaar

If you are travelling to the Dominican Republic, please contact your tour package operator about arrangements they may have to send suitcases of medical supplies into Haiti.

Also, Not Just Tourists – Ottawa is looking for a storage place, with room for shelves, stock, and tables. Please contact us if you can help.

Letters from the Front

All letters are reproduced with the permission of the authors.

From San Antonio de Rio Blanco, Cuba

We held onto the suitcase for a few days and when we finally got scooters for the day we re-packed it all up to fit under our seats and in our backpacks, and we were off. We weren't really sure where we were going to drop it off but figured when we got to a village we would find a clinic.

Sure enough, as we scooted through San Antonio de Rio Blanco, a small community just south of Hershey, we spotted a woman taking an elder's blood pressure right out on their front veranda. After nearly screeching to a halt and one of those classic conversations of flailing arms, smiles, nods and bits of Spanglish, the nurse led us to a clinic just across the street.

We were warmly welcomed inside where unloaded all the goods. Needless to say they were quite happy and thankful. It was especially rewarding knowing the NJT package got to a proper place where it will surely be used as intended.

Submitted by Ron St. Louis and Corrie Rabbe

From Jamaica

The hospital was really happy. The director received us with warm thanks. I don’t believe they have had many people take stuff to them and they are really in need there!

I also had a great experience with the airline company that completely waived off the 6 pounds (so 120$) extra that we had without a problem.

The authority in Jamaica went through our stuff to make sure that it was medical supplies intended for an hospital but really didn't give much of a hassle.

So again I have to say thank you for this great opportunity, it was a great experience and I will definitely do this every time I go somewhere.

Submitted by Julie Sabourin

From Santa Clara, Cuba

We took the tour to Santa Clara, and on our way back to the resort, we stopped in Remedios. Victor (our tour guide), Emma and I went to the hospital when the rest of the group had a free half hour. As we walked in, Victor stopped a doctor who he later told me was Cuba's most famous paediatrician (he had seem him on TV many times and Victor had been a teacher of young kids in his previous job). He told the doctor what it was we had.

Well, they dragged us into a room, they got the Director, the Head Nurse, the Head Accountant, and anyone else they could round up, and they gave the three of us about a thousand thank you’s, and shook our hands and talked loudly in Spanish; they just couldn't thank us enough. All very embarrassing but nice. I couldn't wait to get back to the bus, and both Emma and I were so overwhelmed by the appreciation.

These people are so nice; it's just too bad we couldn't do more. While we were waiting, we watched a young mother come running into the hospital with her young child, both crying, it was so sad. I said to Emma, “I hope what we delivered helps those two.”

Thanks again to NJT for all the great humanitarian work they do 

Submitted by Doug and Emma Phillips