[debbieNP]

In July, I flew to Guatemala with my colleagues for a medical mission. Fifteen of us arrived in Guatemala City and left for the jungle. In the rush, we didn't realize we were missing 2 bags of medical supplies. We did not file a claim for the one I checked and paid $25 for the extra bag fee. We worked diligently caring for the poor and sick of Guatemala for a week. We ran short of supplies for cervical cancer screening as well as some of the medications. We turned women away who had come for screening.

Approximately six weeks after returning home, I was contacted that our bag was found. I picked it up at our local airport and was heartbroken to see it full of medical supplies and medications that were never delivered to the poor of Guatemala. We could have screened more women for cervical cancer and not turned them away. We would have had medication to treat more children.

At the very least, I felt I should be reimbursed for what I paid to have the bag fly down with me. I was informed that since a claim was never filed, I am NOT entitled to reimbursement for the fee I paid to check the bag. I was told that fee was to check the bag, which does NOT come with a guarantee that it will be delivered to the destination. Since the bag was checked, I got my money's worth, I guess. I was told that was the policy and there is no recourse. I was given no information on anyone else to contact.

The 2nd bag has yet to turn up.

[Leatherboy2006]

Maybe you could take those items to people here in the United States that need it for a change instead of going to other countries. How many people here need that kind of aid. How many of our seniors have to decide between their meds or eating because of changes and lack of coverage by medicare and the high cost of meds, especially when they donate so much to OTHER countries.
Time to take care of our own

[debbieNP]

I agree about Senior health care issues. I work as a nurse practitioner and have helped many older patients switch from high priced pharmaceuticals to medications on the $4 formulary that many pharmacies now have. With few exceptions, most needs can be met with the less expensive medications. Patients over 65 are eligible for Medicare and those who are younger and indigent can apply for Medicaid. In my practice, there is more of a challenge finding resources for the working poor who make too much to qualify for government assistance but can't afford health insurance. Also, from my experience, the poorest person in the US has more than the people we serve in Guatemala. The infant mortality rate is among the highest in the world.

I'm new to this forum and may have misunderstood the objective. I need help getting reimbursed for a fee I paid for a second bag which never made it to my destination. I didn't realize it was a forum for social/political discussion. I never dreamed I needed to defend the humanitarian activities I choose to participate in.

[Eagleguy]

You'll probably never recover the $25 you paid to check the bag unfortunately. However, if your bag is not found you are entitled to $20 per kilo of your bag, after a certain number of days of course. Research the Warsaw Convention and then the Montreal Convention. These regulations and laws are supposed to be at ticket counters, gate areas, on your ticket jacket, all those sorts of places. You'll get a lot more money for never having received your bag than hoping on getting $25 back.

MAKE YOUR CLAIM ASAP!
If you need help give me a shout on here.

Don't listen to leatherboy. It's great that you're doing what others can't or are afraid to do.