Not Just Tourists is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political organization based in Canada. Its mission is to help those who need health care urgently.
Contents
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.
Origins
It all started with a trip to Cuba in 1995. After seeing first-hand the serious lack of medicines and medical supplies in Cuba, Dr. Taylor and his wife (from St. Catharines) started taking medical supplies to remote areas of Cuba. Soon others who were travelling to Cuba began approaching them to do the same. The project has grown and now there are NJT groups in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, London, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Saint John. These groups provide suitcases of medical supplies for tourists and medical missions. Not Just Tourists has delivered over 10,000 suitcases of medical aid to 82 countries.
St. Catherines
Not Just Tourists was founded in St. Catherines, and as such, this is the longest operating chapter.