Ken
Stober
Director of International Operations
ken@hec.org www.hec.org
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The last several months
have been exciting for the Himalayan Explorers Connection
and the Porter Assistance Project.
Africa
In December 2002, the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project
was opened in Moshi Tanzania to help the thousands of porters
the climb Mt Kilimanjaro each year. Many months and volunteer
hours were needed to meet with the porters, trekking operators,
and Kilimanjaro park officials to determine the need for a
Porter Assistance Project in Africa. HEC staff member Donovan
Pacholl is now running the office in Moshi. Hundreds of pounds
(weight) of clothing from Nike ACG, Montrail, Mountain Hardware,
Thorlos, REI, and Smartwool have been sent to Africa and in
early January the office started to loan its first clothing
to porters. Porter education classes have recently started.
Nepal
In the HEC Nepal office, and with partnership of the Kathmandu
Environmental Education Project (KEEP), the Porter Assistance
Project has been educating tourists about the needs of the
porters with daily screenings of the film Carrying the Burden.
Clothing is being loaned on a daily basis for trekkers and
operators to use for their porters.
The goal for 2003 is to work closely with TAAN and the tour
operators to help them set up their own clothing programs
for their porters and to transition much of the collected
clothing to these programs. Also in 2003 a new English-Nepali
porter phrasebook will be created and made available to trekkers
to give to their porters as a gift. This will encourage the
trekkers to meet their porters and spend time teaching English
while on their treks.
Peru
In 2002 HEC, South American Explorers Club, IPPG, and Porteadores
Inka Ñan have been working together to develop a program
for the porters on the Inca Trail. HEC has been helping to
coordinate efforts to collect gear and to support U.S. couriers
to deliver the gear to the offices of Porteadores Inka Ñan.
Educating Tourists and Trekkers
A recent HEC survey found that over 90% of U.S. based tour
adventure travel companies that operate in Africa and Nepal
have no formal policy about porter treatment. The HEC is now
working with many of these tour operators to put together
a formal 'best practices' policy on proper porter treatment
that includes educating their guides, staff, and climbers
visiting these remote areas.
A new
educational handout was created for trekkers and tourists
on proper treatment of porters. Versions for Nepal and Africa
porters are now available at the Porter Assistance Project
offices in Africa and Nepal. Poster versions are on display
in the offices of the Himalayan Rescue Association, KEEP,
HEC and Porters Progress. We hope to be getting these in the
hands of all travelers to Nepal and Mt Kilimanjaro.
Mountain Hardware, Lowe Alpine, American Alpine Journal have
all put information about the work with porters in their publications.
Inside Outdoor, a new magazine targeted to the gear and clothing
makers, will be running one-page ads in their monthly publication
starting in February, these ads are directed to the clothing
companies to get support for the clothing and gear that is
needed.
Thanks so much to all the volunteers and companies that have
made these programs possible.
HEC is a 501c3 charity and donations are tax-deductible
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