HOME

As any climber knows, behind any successful expedition is a good team of porters. Unfortunately, the majority of porters working on mountains in Africa do so in substandard conditions. The porters are paid very low wages but accept the jobs because, for many of them, there are no other alternatives. Moreover, they are insufficiently trained in mountain safety techniques and due to their low wages cannot even afford the most basic climbing gear. There are currently in excess of 10,000 porters working on Mount Kilimanjaro alone. The African Ascent Project (AAP) is committed to improving the working conditions and uplifting the lives of all porters working on African Mountains with a current focus on Mount Kilimanjaro. For regularly updated news and highlights, please visit our Blog. We welcome you to our website and encourage you to get involved. Together, we can make a difference.

Get involved Send a gift Donate
Ascending to new heights, together

Some guiding companies make a concerted effort to treat their porters and guides well and improve the working conditions on the mountain. In order to highlight these companies with fair treatment practices, The International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) has a Partnership for Responsible Travel Program which lists companies who put an emphasis on their employees' working conditions. Monitoring activities performed by IMEC's local initiative, the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) ensures that the climbing company is adhering to the guidelines for proper treatment. If you are planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in the near future we encourage you to consider one of the companies on the list.

The Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project currently only has two clothing sites which offer gear to the mountain crew; one situated in Moshi and the other in Tarakea near the Rongai Route. We are supporting KPAP in extending their clothing services to four additional sites; at the Marangu, Machame, and Mweka gates, and in the city of Arusha. The cost of each clothing center ranges from $2100 to $2700 (USD) for one year.

The 2010 RMI Kilimanjaro Clothing Drive was a huge success and there is enough gear to stock all six clothing sites. The AAP is now focusing our attention on raising funds to cover the costs of each centre and all donations received will go towards this cause. When the remaining four clothing sites are set up they will have the capacity to outfit 7000 porters with proper climbing gear at any given time. To support this worthy cause please click here to donate.