Not Just Tourists
About Not Just Tourists
Not Just Tourists is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political humanitarian organization based in Canada. Its mission is to help those who need health care urgently[1] by matching tourists who are visiting developing countries with local clinics and hospitals who require medicine and medical supplies.
Not Just Tourists was founded with the purpose of getting medical supplies to those who can't afford them. Ordinary tourists are given the means to change the lives of the locals they visit. Since its inception, it has spread with chapters across Canada and over 10,000 suitcases delivered to 82 countries.
Our project is about love. Through the work of volunteers, we aspire to:
Change the way people travel and start the journey for ordinary tourists to become humanitarians Prevent the waste of usable medical supplies and get them to those in most need Not Just Tourists was founded with the purpose of getting medical supplies to those who can't afford them. Ordinary tourists are given the means to change the lives of the locals they visit. After seeing first-hand the serious lack of medical supplies in Cuba in 1990, Dr. Ken Taylor and his wife Denise—from St. Catharines, Ontario—started taking medical supplies to remote areas in Cuba. Soon others who were traveling to Cuba began approaching them to take medical supplies too, and the Not Just Tourists phenomenon started.
Since its inception 25 years ago, it has spread with chapters across Canada and over 10,000 suitcases delivered to 82 countries.
Not Just Tourists receives donations from Canada's largest hospitals, clinics, medical suppliers and individuals. The supplies donated are typically gauze, bandages, surgical instruments, masks, gloves, antiseptics, IV kits, urinary supplies and birthing kits. The supplies are packed by volunteers into suitcases during weekly “packing parties”. Travellers sign up and are given the suitcases to deliver to remote clinics where they are needed. The project does not accept funding, is non-political, non-religious. Everything is accomplished through volunteers.
Our Values: We Are Collaborative We Are Transparent We Are Non-Bureaucratic We Are Committed We Are Inclusive The Project Is About Love[2]
Chapters
Austin, Boulder, Brandon, Bristol, Calgary, Halifax, London, London UK, Niagara, Orange County, Ottawa, Simcoe County, Toronto, Waterloo, Winnipeg, York University,
How Not Just Tourists Sends Supplies
After packing the suitcases, the supplies are brought to their destination by a variety of people. These include tourists, people on medical or faith missionaries, and community development volunteers.
In each suitcase, there is a letter package in various different languages (depending on the recipient). The letter states that the traveler is transporting the suitcase's contents to a medical facility in the destination country.
At the end of their trip, the traveler is requested to bring back a copy of the letter that has been signed by the medical professional who received the suitcase. This is used as proof of confirmation that the facility has been given the supplies.
If you want to join the hundreds of travelers already taking part in this initiative, please fill out the Carry Supplies Form. [14]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I get a suitcase?
A. Just fill out the Online Traveler Form!
Q. Is this legal in Canada?
A. Yes. Our donations are classified as humanitarian aid, which Canada encourages. In addition, many countries allow each visitor to import up to ten kilos of humanitarian aid
Q. Does the donation suitcase count as part of my baggage allowance?
A. Yes. However, some air carriers will allow you to carry extra weight if it's humanitarian aid. To check, simply visit the “Airline Baggage – Humanitarian Aid Policies” page under the “What We Do” tab at the top.
Q. Can I look at the contents of each suitcase?
A. Yes. In fact, we encourage that you empty the suitcase and then repack it. This way, you'll be able to truthfully tell officials at the airport that you packed all your luggage.
Q. Are there any narcotics or controlled drugs in the suitcases?
A. No. As stated on the “Donate Medical Supplies” page, we do not accept or send any narcotics or controlled drugs (a narcotic is a drug that relieves pain and causes drowsiness, stupor, or insensibility).
Q. Do I need to declare the suitcase at Canadian customs?
A. No. However, each suitcase contains a letter detailing both the contents of the suitcase and its humanitarian purpose. Oftentimes, luggage is waved through, but Customs officers are able to inspect your luggage if they want.
Q. Once in the donor country, what do I do with the suitcase?
A. We send donations to health clinics and hospitals. We will try to send you to a location close to where you will be staying and provide you with all the information needed to deliver the donations, but you are responsible for getting the donations to the designated recipient. The intention is the get the suitcases to those in most need so please DO NOT leave them with your resort doctor or give them to another party for delivery other than the facility in need.
Q. Is it easy to make the delivery?
A. Typically it is quite easy, however it may require a few hours to travel to your destination and find the recipient of the donations. To speed things up, we have a detailed list of delivery destinations and will do our best to make this as easy for you as possible.
Q. What do I do with the doctor's letter given to me by NJT?
A. When you arrive at your destination, please request that the medical professional (the recipient of your suitcase) sign that letter. After that, either scan or email a photo of it to Not Just Tourists.
Q. What do I do with the suitcase after I’ve made the delivery?
A. The suitcases are usually left with the recipient of the donated supplies.
Q. Is it possible for me to give supplies to friends in the country I'm travelling to?
A. No. Medical professional ethics requires travelers to deliver the suitcase with the entirety of its contents to the clinic or hospital stated in the letter.
Q. I have materials to give to people in the donation country. Can I include these in the donation suitcase?
A. No. Each NJT suitcase must be delivered the way it was when it was packed.
Q. How do I get the suitcase? Do I pick it up, or can it be delivered to me?
A. NJT is volunteer-run and is unable to make suitcase deliveries. In addition, we try to meet each traveler in order to ensure that you have all the necessary information. Suitcases can be picked up from a location near you. If you live in Toronto, you are able to pick up a suitcase at a location not too far from the airport.
Q. What if my suitcase is confiscated?
A. Please do not argue with customs. As soon as you get back to Canada, please let NJT know immediately.
Q. Is it true that Not Just Tourists exists in several cities in Canada?
A. Yes. NJT exists all throughout Canada and has chapters in the UK and USA.
Q. Can NJT suitcases count as my carry-on luggage?
A. No. In each suitcase, there are usually items such as syringes or surgical instruments. These are not allowed to be carried in hand baggage.
Q. Why doesn't NJT just mail supplies in boxes?
A. Since NJT does not accept funding, sponsors, or donations, we would be unable to cover all the costs associated with simply shipping supplies. In addition, each package would need to go through extensive procedures prior to reaching their intended destination. These bureaucratic processes are typically very time-consuming, meaning that recipients need to wait a longer amount of time. Finally, face-to-face contact between travelers and locals occur when Canadians take the donations. This helps to build both bridges and friendships between people of two different countries, and is what makes our organization special. [15]
References
- http://www.njt-pqt.org/english/view.asp?x=476
- https://njt.net/about-us/
- http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-save-a-life/index.html
- https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/oct/13/not-just-tourists-medical-supplies-voluntourism-project-bristol-branch
- http://globalnews.ca/video/3297297/by-taking-an-extra-suitcase-on-your-next-trip-you-can-save-a-life
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amanda-walkins/how-to-give-back-while-yo_b_8090562.html
- http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nurse-opens-local-chapter-that-sends-medical-supplies-1.4272894
- https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2019/03/10/charity-provides-supplies-to-the-needy-via-tourists/
- http://www.torontosun.com/2017/09/04/toronto-travellers-bring-medical-supplies-to-63-countries
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/central-america/el-salvador/articles/el-salvador-not-just-tourists/
- http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/volunteer-charity/not-just-tourists-medical-supplies-carrier
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/not-just-tourists-1.3365017
- http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/unused-medical-supplies-1.3689848
- https://njt.net/what-we-do/how-we-send-supplies/
- https://njt.net/faq/