When going to Cuba, be a saint – donate! Help islanders weather the cruel U.S. blockade.

Cubans warmly welcome donations however small. Everything you contribute is an overture of friendship and a progressive act against the U.S. blockade that deprives Cubans of basic items we in North America take for granted.

We strongly advise against handing out donations or money to individuals you meet on the street. In areas frequented by tourists, professional scammers attempt to fleece foreign guests with scripted sob stories that win them cash or items they then sell on the black market, both resulting in hundreds of dollars every week.

Working Cubans earn 15 to 20 dollars per month. When you give your donations or cash contributions to a handful of street hustlers, you deprive the vast majority of Cuban families and communities who could most benefit from your generosity.

Giving to new island friends or helping out Cubans you know from past trips is a most wonderful overture. Go for it!

How to make your heartfelt donations really count

Organized donations to island NGOs facilitated by the Canadian network Not Just Tourists (NJT) are distributed equitably to Cubans most in need beyond the tourist centers.

NJT groups are not-for-profit volunteer projects that collect surplus medicines, medical supplies and other items for use in Cuba. These materials are donated by individuals, organizations and businesses. Canadians traveling to Cuba deliver these much-needed supplies to hospitals, clinics and other institutions at their island destination.

NJT can help you plan and coordinate your donations. NJT groups are always in need of donations, volunteers and storage space to more effectively conduct their vital work in support of the Cuban people. In addition to donating and delivering supplies to Cuba, consider getting involved with an NJT group near you, or launching a chapter in your city. If you are a US reader, please consider a monetary donation to help with operational costs of an NJT chapter of your choice.

Not Just Tourists groups across Canada

Calgary Alberta (email)

Edmonton Alberta (website)

Kingston Ontario (email)

Montreal Quebec (email)

Ottawa Ontario (website)

Saint Catharines Ontario (website)

Toronto Ontario (website)

Vancouver British Columbia (email)

IF QUESTIONS SEE CUBAN CUSTOMS REGULATIONS (CLICK HERE)
SUGGESTED DONATIONS TO TAKE TO CUBA
Any, all art supplies		Musical instruments		Guitar strings
Reeds for wind instruments		Metronomes		Pitch pipes
Tuning forks		Sheet music		Theatre make-up
Ballet slippers		Baseball bats, balls and gloves		Footballs, sport helmets and padding
Bike tire repair kits		Aspirin and substitutes, Band-Aids		Multiple vitamins and A, B, C, D, E
Medical gloves and masks, medical thermometers		Condoms, sanitary napkins, tampons		School supplies, all kinds
Toys for children		Laptop computers no more than four years old, memory sticks		Spanish/English dictionaries and phrase books
High quality summer oriented used clothing and shoes		Sheets and towels		Kitchen gloves and sponges

DO NOT BRING THESE ITEMS TO CUBA
Food items or seeds		Outdated history or science books
Expired medicine or vitamins		Old or non-functioning computers
Items considered to be weapons		Anti-Cuba literature, pornography