Kilimanjaro Porters are the real superheroes for Clients and tour operators, so we must take care of them. By taking care of them, not only they get what they deserve but also improve the revenue and employment rate of the country. In this article, we’ll clarify the Kilimanjaro porter treatment situation, how we can improve it, and what we can do to make a difference.
GUIDELINES FOR THE KILIMANJARO PORTERS:
- Porters shouldn’t carry excess luggage (Maximum weight can be lifted up to 20kg)
- They should be given 3 meals per day even after doing hard labor
- Porters should be provided with proper shelter conditions and sleeping equipment
- Tour operators should properly take care of Sick or Injured porters.
- Getting, what actually they deserve within 2 days of the descent of a climb
- The wage amount for the porters is 20,000Tsh per day ( the wage amount accepted by the porter unions in 2014.)
After initiatives and projects launched by IMEC, there has been a significant increase in revenue in the climbing or trekking industry, results in an increase in government revenues as tax. After KPAP, temporary porters converted to permanent ones, which results in an increasing employment rate. We, Snow Africa Adventures, as a responsible trekking operator now hiring them permanently.
“Climbing Kilimanjaro is a team effort,” “Without porters and guides, there are no clients and operators existed. It’s KPAP’s best interest to get that everyone will be treated fairly while climbing Kilimanjaro.”
We, Snow Africa Adventures, an approved Partner company with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), an initiative of the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) through Partner for Responsible Travel Program of IMEC.To join with KPAP through this program is absolutely free.
We voluntarily participate with KPAP’s monitoring activities and allow KPAP to evaluate the treatment of our porters on all of our climbs. Being a partner with KPAP, your porter will get proper treatment which will increase your ethical value and reputation of your organization for fair labor practices. By climbing with us you can be assured that your journey will be enjoyable & you will be all fairly treated by our guides and porters throughout your journey.
KPAP ALSO HELPS TO IMPROVE THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF PORTERS BY:
- Letting to choose a responsible trekking operator who can take proper care of the porter
- Providing financial security through deserved salary and tips
- Lending free clothing and climbing gears to the mountain crew for trekking
- Educating the public on porter working conditions and climbing responsibly
- Providing industry guidelines for proper porter treatment
- Above all, Porters also get the educational classes for First Aid treatment training, ecological care of Kilimanjaro, and many more things.
Please consider supporting KPAP by making a financial contribution to enable them to continue with their Partner for Responsible Travel Program and free services for porters. To make a donation, please visit https://kiliporters.org/donate-now/
