From March 11-21, travelers from FCCOL will be visiting Cuba, going to communities around Santiago de Cuba. Cuba is facing acute shortages in all sorts of areas, but the most urgent are related to medical care. Hospitals there are faced with a severe lack of surgical instruments and basic supplies, as well as pharmaceuticals that are necessary for patient care. Our travelers have been requested, if possible, to bring some of these supplies with them. But we’re putting this list out for our whole community, in hopes that together, we can all provide some basic relief for Cuba. Here’s the list of needs:
EQUIPMENT
First, the big-ticket item. We would like to provide 12 of these.
*) Binocular Headband Loupes with Light 3.5X Magnifying Optical Glasses ,Adjustable 5W LED Head Light Lamp DY-106
Brand: YOHOSO
$125.99 from Amazon
or (much cheaper if available, though Ali will spam you unmercifully afterwards):
*) 2.5X/3.5X Dental LED Light Lamp Binocular Loupes Brightness Spot Adjustable Dental Lab 5W Headlamp For Surgical Headlight (US plug)
Brand: Harbor Dent
$46.29 from Ali Express
* * *
Blood pressure cuff w/stethoscope
* * *
DRUGSTORE SUPPLIES
Vitamins for seniors
Vitamins for children
Ibuprofen (big bottles, generics)
Acetaminophen (big bottles, generics)
Aspirin (big bottles, generics)
Loperamide (generic Immodium)
* * *
SOLAR POWER
very important:
Solar charger power bank
hand-crank / solar power radio / charger / light
* * *
DIGITAL
high-capacity flash drives (take them out of the packaging before travel) – best with USB and C plugs
USB to C adapter, short cord – everybody should bring one for yourself, one to give away
* * *
OTHER
AA and AAA batteries (packages of 16 or 24, please, but they’re heavy)
pens and writing supplies
1-lb. bricks of coffee (Bustelo or similar)