Imec Partner

Partner for responsible travel with the International Mountain Explorers Connection

The International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) is a U.S. based 501(c)(3) 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

IMECcreated 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.

MEMBERSHIPS & SUPPORT

IMEC depends on grants, donations, and memberships to fund our local projects. By becoming a member with IMEC you will directly help fund the Porter Clothing Lending Program, Classes for porters, and Outreach which increases the public’s awareness regarding choosing a conscientious company.

Please join us and become a part of effecting change for the porters by DONATING NOW to this worthy cause. Your membership fees and donations are tax deductible to the full extent provided by law.