|
Training of the Kilimanjaro porters
The Kilimanjaro porters are the men who carry tents, sleeping bags, tables, food and the personal belongings of tourists who climb Mount Kilimanjaro from the entrance of the Kilimanjaro National Park to the top of the mountain. To protect these men against exploitation, the "Mount Kilimanjaro Porter Society" (MKPS) has been created in 2004 who established a set of regulations to which many providers of Kilimanjaro climbs have submitted themselves.
These rules include points such as that the porters who are ascending to the permanent snows of "The Roof of Africa" have to be equipped with appropriate clothing and that the maximum weight they carry has to be limited to 20 kg.
Young porters are being trained by the society for their job. In many cases they are former street children who then can find a year-round employment. For experienced porters there is further education and many of them one day can get promoted to become an accredited mountain guide.
Subjects that are being taught are accident prevention and safety issues, first aid, customer service, English, environmental issues (e.g. waste reduction and disposal, basic knowledge about biology and geology). Further, the society is developing micro finance plans for its member porters, such as how to invest or save their earnings in order to be be able to afford a better life standard.
Volunteers are needed who can teach in one or several of the following areas: advanced first aid and health topics, English, environmental issues, micro finance planning.
Main season for the training sessions are the months of the rainy season which are March/April and October/November. However training will take place throughout the year. If you want to come during other months, we can combine your time with the Kilimanjaro porters with other educational institutions in the Moshi area. We'll be happy to assist you with this.
Info box:
Place: Moshi, Tanzania
Duration: Minimum 1 week
Special qualification
required: Yes
Costs: free of charge (trouble-free package for € 500
is optional)
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Not
included
Included: Placement in the project; if you opt for the
trouble-free package the whole range of services which is part of the
trouble-free package is included
Not included: Travel, health
insurance, visa, work permit
Book this
placement now! |
