International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC)
The International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) is a U.S. based
not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote
responsible and sustainable connections between travelers and the people
of developing mountain regions of the world. Through IMEC's local projects
in Moshi, Tanzania and Kathmandu, travelers gain a greater understanding
of labor issues surrounding the tourism industry.
In order to feed themselves and their families, porters take on the job
of carrying heavy loads to high elevations on Kilimanjaro and in the
Himalayas. Some of the problems porters face are:
- Underpayment by companies
- Not receiving the full amount of tip intended for them
- Inadequate clothing and gear
- Being forced to carry excess weight
- Insufficient food provision
- Poor sleeping facilities
Such treatment leaves porters open to illness and neglect on the mountain. Because porters have no job security, they have little room for complaint.
IMEC Porter Assistance Project
IMEC's Porter Assistance Project seeks to improve the working conditions of trekking porters by:
- Providing individual porters and climbing companies with warm, high quality clothing free of charge.
- Offering English language, First Aid, HIV/AIDS Awareness, and Money Management classes in order to motivate and empower porters.
- Educating the tourist population about acceptable standards of porter treatment.
Partnership for Responsible Travel
IMEC created the Partnership for Responsible Travel Program to
recognize those tour operators committed to promoting proper porter
treatment and cultural and environmental sensitivity among their clients.
The local projects in Tanzania and Nepal monitor company performance to
ensure that Partners abide by IMEC's Guidelines for Proper Porter
Treatment. IMEC is the only not-for-profit organization with an office in
Kilimanjaro that works specifically to improve porter conditions.
Maasai Wanderings is proud to be a member if IMEC's Partnership for Responsible Travel Program.
Visit IMEC's Website for more details.