Because it is there: Kili the Right Way
http://www.mountainmadness.com/intl/africa/africa.htm
http://www.hec.org/club/clothingbank2.htm
It is midnight at 11,000 feet on Mount Kilimanjaro when a bedraggled figure of a man approaches through the darkness. Clearly hungry and cold he asks for a bite to eat and a tent in which to sleep; but he is not a beggar, nor is he a poor mountain villager. He is a porter, hired and paid for by high-end adventure travel companies who boost profits and undercut competition by mistreating porters. These porters often carry twice the standard load, and have marginal clothing, rain gear and tents – all for just 3 to 6 dollars a day.
In December 2004, Mountain Madness is offering a six-day climb to the top of the 19,340-foot Mt. Kilimanjaro with ALL proceeds benefiting the IMEC Porter Assistance Project. Mountain Madness has been leading trips up Mt. Kilimanjaro for close to 20 years, and was the first adventure travel group to join the International Mountain Explorers Connection’s (IMEC) Porter Partnership Program to ensure that porters are properly clothed and cared for.
Speaker Details
Lema has worked for Mountain Madness’ sister company African Environments since 1996. He started as an auto mechanic, spent a year working as a porter, and went on to be an assistant trip leader in 1998. Lema has taken many courses in Outdoor leadership, first aid, and natural history. He is passionate about learning and making life better for himself and others. Currently, Lema is studying in San Diego California and will be returning to Africa in November 2004 – just in time to lead the Porter Project climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Ken Stober always had a dream of visiting Nepal and was finally able to visit in 1998. Ken was moved by what he saw, not only the beauty of the mountains but the people of the villages he visited and stayed. While visiting one of the villages on the trek Ken noticed the children were not attending school because of a three hour trek to the nearest school. Ken worked closely with a local sherpa to build a bridge for the children and families in the village of Sewangma. In 2000, Ken left his job as the Asia Market Development Director for Intel Corporation to devote more time to help IMEC and others around the world. Ken joined the IMEC board in 2001 and became the Director of International Operations working on the Porter Assistance Project. Ken was instrumental in bringing IMEC programs to Tanzania and Peru. In 2003, Ken visited Nepal, Tanzania and Peru in the efforts to expand programs to help porters and the people in these areas. Ken is a volunteer with the IMEC and when not traveling with his wife Yvette and daughter Brynna he resides in Portland Oregon.
Christi Masi is the Africa Program Director for Mountain Madness. Christi has climbed Kilimanjaro twice, both on fundraising climbs, and feels passionate about giving back to those who make climbing the largest mountains of the world possible.
- Date:
- Speakers:
- Elirehema Peter Lema, Ken Stober, and Christi Masi
- Affiliation:
- Mountain Madness
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Jeff Running
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