Climbing Kilimanjaro is on many people’s list of lifetime achievements – it’s tipped as the crown of Africa and every year thousands of climbers worldwide set out to conquer it. Any well-prepared hiker arrives at base camp kitted out in the latest climbing equipment, but as Terence Goldberg and Mathew Yang found out, the same cannot be said for the local Tanzanian porters and guides.
Last December Terence and Mathew (both UCT Masters students) booked themselves on a six day guided trip along the Machame trail, the most challenging of all the official Kili routes. They turned up at the park gate laden with backpacks full of high altitude climbing gear (down jackets, outer shells, gloves and gaitors), all the kit needed to summit safely and comfortably. Much to their surprise the guides and porters meeting them wore nothing but battered sneakers, thin sweatpants and raggedy t-shirts – clothing entirely inadequate for harsh mountain conditions.
Things didn’t get much better as the expedition continued, “Our porters carried all the food, tents and cooking equipment in hessian sacks balanced on top of their heads” says Terence. “Some didn’t even have proper sleeping bags and were forced to huddle under shared blankets at night”. Terence and Mathew found it completely immoral that the porters and guides, who worked tirelessly to ensure an enjoyable Kili experience, should do so in such substandard conditions.
Inspired to help change a situation witnessed as depraved and unjust, Terence and Mathew set up a charity aimed at improving the working lives of the Kilimanjaro mountain crew. African Ascent Project (AAP) is registered as a “˜not for gain’ section 21 company and is dedicated to uplifting the welfare of the guides and porters concerned. There are a number of ways for the public to get involved, whether it be donating old climbing equipment or by helping spread the word through informed talks at your local hiking club.
AAP works in conjunction with The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) who has identified a list of responsible climbing companies to bear in mind when planning your future Kili expedition. Upcoming projects between AAP and KPAP include a volunteer teacher/climbing programme aimed at educating porters, and a fundraising initiative for the set up of a clothing distribution centre on the site of the park gate.
For further information check out the following websites:
http://www.africanascentproject.com
http://www.kiliporters.org
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