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In 2003,
the Himalayan Explorers Connection changed the organization’s
name to the International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC),
in order to reflect the work we are doing in developing mountain
regions around the world. We are the same people, running
the same great projects in more locations, just under a different
name.
Porter
Partnership Program
Director
of Programs, Amanda Daflos, has been busy over the last several
months meeting with many of the top U.S. tour operators and
getting them to join the Porter Partnership Program. The program
aims to assist trekking companies in developing porter guidelines
and enforcing and reporting on the results. In 2003, Mountain
Madness became the first U.S. tour operator to adopt the program
and has listed the porter guidelines on their web page and
put into motion several other components of the program.
In 2004,
Mountain Madness will run expeditions in support of the porter
program and simultaneously educate their clients about porter
issues. Other partners include Adventure Life Journeys, Ferris
and Shoeman, LLC, Global Humanitarian Expeditions, International
Mountain Guides, Inc., KE Adventure Travel Worldwide and Tusker
Trail and Safari Company.
Porter
Assistance Project – Nepal
IMEC continues to loan our clothing and educate tourists in
the offices in Kathmandu. In the fall trekking season over
60 porters were outfitted each month with donated gear from
the clothing bank. Office manager Taranath has also signed
up 25 local companies as members of the program.IMEC continues
to work with the Kathamandu Environmental Education Project
(KEEP), HRA, and IPPG and helped with an English Language
for Trekking Professional class. Tara recently conducted a
workshop on porter safety and outfitted porters on the Dhaulagiri
Base Camp Cleanup.
Kilimanjaro
Porter Assistance Project
Even in the rainy season, Kilimanjaro’s Porter Assistance
Project director, Peter Ling and assistant director Zamoyoni
Selestine have been busy providing training to over 180 porters
a month in English and 60 porters a month learning basic first
aid. Zamo also recently climbed Kilimanjaro to meet and talk
to porters on the mountain. In 2003, the Kilimanjaro Porter
Assistance Project proudly outfitted over 700 porters.
Moreover,
IMEC has been officially recognized by the Tanzania National
Parks Authority (TANAPA) and Kilimanjaro National Parks Authority
(KINAPA) as an important component in the Tanzanian travel
and tourism industry. IMEC will work in conjunction with these
organizations in an effort to develop porter guidelines. Finally,
Dr. Jim Duff of IPPG visited the KPAP offices in January 2004
en route to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. IMEC was pleased to
meet with Jim and discuss the progress of KPAP.
Porteadores
Inka Ñan (Inca Porter Project)
IMEC is pleased to announce its recent agreement to team with
Inka Porter Project (IPP).
IMEC and
IPP will work as sister projects. IPP will help develop tourist
educational materials, such as a Peruvian version of a “porter
poster” which promotes proper porter treatment. Additionally,
IPP has developed pocket language resource cards, that help
porters learn basic English skills. IMEC will distribute the
poster and the language cards to tourists, members, and partners.
IMEC and IPP will also offer “off the beaten path” trekking
trips to Peru to educate trekkers and raise money for the
program. IMEC will also accept U.S. tax-deductible donations
for IPP.
Machermo
Porter Shelter
IMEC recently assisted IPPG in getting a portable oxygen concentrator
to be used at the Machermo Porter Shelter. This device provides
oxygen to porters and patients who may be suffering from altitude
sickness. In order to purchase this device, IMEC raised $4000USD
from a grant and individual donors. An IMEC member then carried
the oxygen concentrator to Nepal, it will be ready for 2004
spring climbing season.
Porters
for Porters
IMEC is always looking for “Porters for Porters”. If you live
in Colorado, Portland, OR or Seattle WA and plan to go to
Nepal, Africa or Peru and can carry an extra bag, contact
IMEC at info@hec.org
Amanda
Dafloss IMEC Director of programs
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