There are several Not Just Tourists (NJT) projects in Canada that operate on an independent basis. Each subscribes to a Statement of Common Principles.
We are all non-political, not-for-profit projects, patterned after the original Not Just Tourists group in St. Catharines (Niagara).
NJT collects donations of surplus medicines and supplies for use in countries in need. All NJT groups are completely managed and run by volunteers. There are no offices and minimal overhead and related expenses.
A country clinic typical of where NJT medical aid is delivered
Canadians travelling on business or vacation deliver these much-needed supplies to medical facilities at their travel destinations.
People can deliver a suitcase of medicine and supplies, or they can deliver a knapsack or even a plastic bag full of materials. We have different bag sizes to accommodate different types of travellers, trips, and destinations. To see sample suitcases and bags, go to the Take Medical Supplies page.
To see photos of medicine and supplies being delivered, go to Photos: Deliveries and What You Can Do: Photos.
Update on Activities for Not Just Tourists
Haïti
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.
Travellers' Stories
All letters are reproduced with the permission of the authors.
From Syria
The long awaited container has arrived on land and immediately some of its content was put into use!
The one picture that stands out for me is the one with kids in the wheelchair. Remember Jacques, in the whole container, we got two of these from the family that lost their seven-year-old daughter. That wheelchair pickup was the most touching for me. The mother showed me how her daughter liked stickers that were placed everywhere on the chair tray. I picked up many things that belonged to deceased people, but none of these did touch me deeply as this one did.
I was so happy to see that the chairs are put in good use. These two kids have cerebral palsy. I am told that there are four cases like this in this poor area.
Submitted by Safa
About Honduras
We want to give thanks for your support to Honduras’ people in need, God has been blessing us to have a wonderful people with big hearts. Today we gave a kid’s wheel chairfrom Rogers Community Center to Sta. Barbara Region to a kids that has brain damage. We want to give thanks to all of you Air Canada too for let us take the wheelchair without any cost to Honduras, Central America. On behalf of Ambassador Cerrato and myself as a minister Thanks to all of you
Canadian friends.
Submitted by
Luis Francisco Bogran
Minister Conseiller on Economic and External Cooperation Affairs
Embassy of Honduras to Canada
From Capetown, South Africa
The clinic was packed and we were quickly met by a nurse. We explained why we had come and opened the bag for her to see. She told us she couldn't take it: rules state that any donations must be accompanied by a letter from the South African government. “I know it sounds stupid, but that's the rule,” she explained, as we stammered in shock.
She asked us to wait and returned with her supervisor. Again we explained the situation. “You mean you bring all of this and ask nothing in return?” she asked. “Yes, of course we'll take it, thank-you.”
She further explained that they were a clinic for children and they could use some of the supplies and would take the rest to another clinic. We thanked her and returned to our cabbie who was waiting outside.
Submitted by Heather Forbes
Photo used with permission from Brigit Nagy