You Can Do Good Globally: A Kit for the CURE

Project CURE (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment) has impacted millions of lives across the globe, bringing much needed medical equipment to clinics and doctors with depleted supplies in impoverished countries. As one of the 20 most cost-effective nonprofit organizations in the United States, Project CURE has aided individuals in more than 130 countries. Not only does the organization ship cargo containers full of medical supplies overseas, but it also offers individual travelers the opportunity to do some global good as well.

Project CURE has taken advantage of travel being such a booming industry by allowing travelers headed to developing countries to take CURE Kit along with them. One kit contains supplies that are critical to enhancing the health of under-privileged regions of the world, and these kits are pre-packed and are delivered ready-for-travel to those going to underserved countries.

The kit comes in a sturdy, 18”x18x18” box and meets international travel regulations. However, it’s recommended to unpack the box and put the supplies and equipment in a sturdy, rolling duffel bag because the contents of the kit weighs approximately 48lbs. If required at customs, a donation letter is included in the kit as well. Once in the hands of the traveler, the contents of the kit are not to be sold and must be designated for use in foreign countries. A $200 handling fee is required for the attaining and storing the kit, and ground shipping is included in the final cost.

Here’s how to order a kit:

Here’s a personal testimonial from Penny, who purchased a CURE kit and traveled with her husband to Fiji:

Do you ever wonder what happens to all the supplies that we send to Project Cure? My husband Bill and I just returned from a vacation trip to Fiji and decided to bring a Cure Kit along with us… The clinic where we dropped these off is on a very remote island in Northwestern Fiji that is only accessible by foot or boat. The lone nurse on the island, Miliana, is responsible for over 3000 residents as the physician left recently and has yet to be replaced. The one room clinic was sparsely supplied as she had not received a shipment from the government in a while. We arrived by boat into the village wearing our sulus, which is the polite dress for visits. Mliiana was shy but amazed and delighted with our donation and we filled the table (behind us in the photo) with all of the supplies. For days afterward, the staff at the resort where we were staying kept telling us how happy Miliana was and how much the whole island would benefit from the donations. I cannot begin to tell you how good it felt to know that all of us here at CBCI helped out these wonderful people! So, a great big Vinaka Vakalevu (Fijian “thank you very much”) to all of you for making this possible!

What an impact a CURE kit can make! As a result of this donation, Miliana was able to care for the 3,000 residents of the island more comfortably than she was able to before Penny and her husband visited, and Penny has a memory that will last a lifetime!

Project CURE also has program titled “Kits for Kids”, in which kits are shipped across the globe to parents who are not otherwise capable of taking their sick children to a hospital, which may be a long journey by bicycle, bus, or even by foot. Not all medical clinics are right down the road, and so kits containing basic medicine cabinets like these help parents keep their children healthy. More information on Kits for Kids and how to contribute can be found at this site.

If you are traveling to an impoverished country, consider purchasing a CURE kit to give to the medical teams in those countries. Remember, although providing for others is always rewarding, taking care of yourself is important as well. Be sure to visit a travel medicine specialist 4-6 weeks prior to your to ensure you stay healthy and well for the good work you will do!