Purposeful Traveler Avi: How an Extra Suitcase Can Save A Life

My first sojourn into the ‘world’ happened 8 years ago while I was still in university. A finance bookworm with no social skills, I took a semester off to backpack India, Thailand, Cambodia and Dubai. This sparked an appetite for adventure which led to me to work on Carnival Cruise ships for two years. I then jumped ship and moved to a little island off the coast of Honduras with my Hungarian girlfriend to start a rum cake business. Both the girl and company failed.

As I gained tenure in the world of travelling, I also began to find tourist travel a bit senseless. What purpose was I serving passing through these slums and favelas like a leaf with only a smile and a bit of patronage? I was a tourist, a taker. Until a serendipitous encounter, I learned how I could best leave a positive footprint.

I was introduced to Not Just Tourists, a grassroots organization which has been sending medical supplies with travellers to people in need for the past 25 years. They had no presence in Toronto so I took action and volunteered to start the chapter 5 months ago. In Canada, there are literally hundreds of tons of usable medical supplies that get thrown away every year. They may be expired or close to expiry but the reality is; bandages, gauze, IV kits, syringes and most supplies don’t go bad like a box of milk. Studies have shown that after years of being expired, most medicines don’t lose their potency. In fact, one study found 90% of medical supplies are safe and effective far past their original expiration date. I realized people in the developing world suffer unnecessarily because they don’t have access to medical supplies. Something as simple as a puffer can spare a parent from watching helplessly as their child gasps for air. Countless unnecessary infections or amputations occur because of a lack of proper wound dressings. This is wrong!

Donating Supplies

I now help to collect supplies from large hospitals, retirement homes, palliative care centers, government agencies or from families who have boxes left over from a family member who passed away. We collect these supplies, pack them in suitcases with documentation and give them to travellers to take to small clinics around the world. To date, the project has sent over 10,000 suitcases to 82 countries in need.

What makes the project special is the traveller chooses where to deliver the supplies. It is up to you to ask around, find a clinic which receives no support and bring them the supplies. Most travellers say the delivery was the highlight of their vacation. Ultimately the core of the project is about loving people, showing locals that we care and making travellers more compassionate.

Taking Supplies

Luckily we receive more donations than we can handle. Our biggest challenge at the moment is having a place to store them, volunteers to sort them and travellers to take them. Not Just Tourists receives no financial funding so it depends entirely on its volunteers to pick up supplies, sort and pack the suitcases to take abroad.

The first time travelling with supplies can be a bit unnerving, so NJT will only pack generic items like bandages, gauze, wound care and IV kits. It is a giant first aid kit that can make a world of a difference. Some airlines like West Jet have “Humanitarian Aid Luggage Allowances” which don’t charge you for one suitcase of aid. You will receive your suitcase a few weeks before and must unpack and repack supplies so you can honestly answer customs when they asked if you packed it.  Once in the other country, customs may ask to inspect the bag . You can show them the “humanitarian aid letter”, explain where it goes and be on your way.

It doesn’t have to be a suitcase, before your next trip pick up a some bandages, disinfectant gel or a first aid kit from your local pharmacy. The difference it can make will be profound.

Avi D’Souza is the Coordinator for Not Just Tourists Toronto, lover of the ocean and a new member of Toronto Travel Massive. If you are interested in volunteering or taking supplies with you on your next trip, connect with him by email or on Facebook.

Editor’s Note: Not Just Tourists is currently seeking non-profit clinics in Africa, Asia, Central and South America. If you know of a clinic in-need please submit your recommendation here.

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Purposeful Traveler is a series that profiles inspiring people or projects making a purposeful change to the way we travel. If you know of a Purposeful Traveler who should be featured, email us