Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project

The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project is a non-governmental organization (NGO) set up in Tanzania to improve the working conditions for porters on Kilimanjaro. The project is an initiative of the International Mountain Explorers Connection, a US based non-profit dedicated to promoting responsible tourism in mountain ranges across the world.

The objectives of the KPAP project are:

• Equip porters with appropriate mountain climbing gear.
• Offer educational opportunities to motivate and empower porters.
• Raise public awareness regarding proper working conditions and treatment of porters on Kili.
• Provide clients with the fundamental information necessary to choose a socially responsible climbing company.

The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project accepts donations of gear, as well as money. If you have extra space in your luggage allowance, you can also act as a courier transporting donated gear from their Boulder, Colorado office to Tanzania.

You can also check out the list of member companies. These are companies that follow most of the guidelines set by the project for fair treatment of porters. If a company is not a member, that doesn't mean they mistreat porters, but membership does provide some extra assurance to climbers.