Tanzania Charity Project

Tanzania Travel Plan supports the International Mountain Explorers Connection, also known as the IMEC. The IMEC is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote a responsible and sustainable relationship between travellers and people in mountainous areas in third world countries, also known as porters (those who carry the luggage of those who climb the Kilimanjaro). The IMEC has also created a partnership for responsible travel. This gives partner tour operators a platform to show that they support the promotion of better treatment of porters and that they are aware of the cultural and ecological value that travellers bring with them. By supporting this project, you'll help the IMEC finance a clothing project, provide education and you'll make a conscious decision to support an organisation that promotes the wellbeing of the Tanzanian people.

This project enables you to support the IMEC in their efforts to provide clothing to those that need it most. Porters are also provided with the opportunity to receive schooling. It also offers you the ability to give back to the people that will help make your holiday an unforgettable adventure. To support this project, simply indicate on your booking form that you would like to donate 5 pounds to this project.

The Porters

In order to make a living for themselves and their family, many people in the Kilimanjaro region become porters. They help you carry heavy loads up to higher elevations of Kilimanjaro. Porters run into the following problems on a daily basis:

- being underpaid
- not receiving tips that were meant for them
- insufficient clothing and climbing equipment
- being forced to carry more than is allowed
- insufficient nourishment
- poor sleeping facilities

This kind of treatment of porters makes them susceptible to illness and neglect on the mountain. Since porters do not have guaranteed labour, you'll never hear a porter complain about his situation personally.

Tanzania Charity Project - Porter Assistance Project

IMEC Porter Assistance Project

IMEC’s Porter Assistance Project strives to improve working conditions for all porters. This project:

- provides climbers with independent porters and provides them with clothing and proper equipment.
- offers porters courses such as English, First Aid, HIV/AIDS Awareness and Financial Management in an effort to keep them motivated and to give them a chance at a better future.
- give presentations for guides and tourists regarding acceptable values in regards to porters and how they should be treated.

For more information on our Tanzania charity project, visit the IMEC web site.

Support the IMEC on Kenya and Tanzania Travel Plan

The IMEC depends on donations and memberships in order to support all local Tanzanian charity projects. Twice a year we transfer all donations we have received to the local organisation and our local representative keeps us informed on the progress of the project. Project progress is posted on this web page for all to see. Any additional donations that you would want to give the IMEC are also very welcome; if you wish to do so, please let us know in the comments area on the quote request form.

Post Climb Survey

Another way you can help us and the porters out is by filling out our post climb survey. This form helps the IMEC to make sure whether or not your porter's working conditions are correct.

On behalf of all porters and Kenya and Tanzania Travel Plan... thank you for your help!

Tanzania Charity Project - Tanzania, Kilimanjaro