About Us
See Our GiftsOverview
The International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based out of Boulder, Colorado. IMEC has a dual approach: working to benefit the local populations, primarily focusing on porters, while also working to educate visitors and link them to ways they can assist the local populations, particularly in demanding fair treatment for porters.
IMEC advocates that everyone in the trekking industry – overseas companies, local agents, trek leaders, and trekkers – should shoulder the responsibilities and costs of taking crews into the highest mountains of the earth.
Through its Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) in Moshi, IMEC’s focus is improving the distressing working conditions of the porters on Kilimanjaro.
Mission
Promoting responsible and sustainable connections between travelers and the people of developing mountain regions of the world.
History
The International Mountain Explorers Connection was founded in 1996 in Boulder, Colorado. Through its Porter Assistance Project, IMEC is focusing its efforts on improving the working condition for porters on Kilimanjaro and in Nepal.
In addition to Boulder, Colorado, we currently have offices in Moshi, Tanzania and, in collaboration with The Mountain Fund, in Kathmandu, Nepal. These offices store gear for our Porter Assistance Projects and offer information regarding proper porter treatment to climbers.
Program
Lending donated clothing at no charge to the porters for use while climbing
Providing free classes for the benefit of the porters in English, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Money Management, and First Aid Certification
Educating the public on the porter working conditions and providing Guidelines for Proper Porter Treatment
Monitoring climbing company practices on Mount Kilimanjaro
Impact
Through IMEC's Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, since 2005, IMEC has:
Sponsored classes in First Aid, conversational English, HIV/AIDS Awareness, and Money Management for 7,021 porters
Trained 30 porters and guides as Community-Based First Aid Instructors
Outfitted 4,454 porters with proper mountain-climbing gear.
CEO
Scott Dimetrosky
After exhausting the exploration opportunities in the Pocono Mountains near Philadelphia, where he grew up, Scott ventured towards the higher mountains of the world. After numerous journeys in North and South America, he found his way to the Himalayas, the "abode of snow".
In his first excursion to the Himalayas, in 1995, he completed a six-month traverse of the entire Himalayan range, through Pakistan, India, and Nepal. Disturbed by the negative environmental and cultural impacts of tourism that he witnessed on this trip, Scott created the International Mountain Explorers Connection, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the deleterious effects of tourism on the fragile mountain environments and cultures.
Board
Andy Crisconi
Wes Krause
Peter Ling
Tim Magney
Barb Munson
Anna Oursler
Ken Wace
Jack Zuzack
Countries
Tanzania, United Republic of
States
Colorado
Contact
PO BOX 3665
BOULDER, CO 80307-3665
Phone: (303) 998-0101
www.mountainexplorers.org
EIN: 84-1348903
A Gift Card
Basic Needs
Countries and Regions
Education
Health
Services to porters
1 month's office rent
This gift will provide for 1 month's rent for the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project's (KPAP) office. Through KPAP's office porters can obtain clothing to climb the mountain and free educational classes. The KPAP office also serves as an informational center for climbers regarding the proper treatment of porters.
$30000 $300.00
English course
1 week English classes
This gift will provide a teacher's salary for 1 week of English classes in the village areas surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro. Classes are 2 hours long for a size of 20 porters who receive this language instruction for free.
$2500 $25.00
HIV/AIDS class
1 class for 20 porters
This gift will provide (1) two hour class of HIV/AIDS Awareness instruction to 20 porters in the village areas surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro.
$1000 $10.00
Educate Porters
1 wk First Aid Course
This gift will provide for the two Porter Instructors' salaries for a 1 week certification course in First Aid in which a class size of 15 porters, living in the village areas surrounding Kilimanjaro, can be certified in First Aid.
$10000 $100.00
Clothe Porters
1 month clothing care
This gift will provide for 1 months maintenance of the Clothing Lending Program for the porters. Our clothing stock includes waterproof ski jackets, rain jackets and pants, fleece pullovers, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, and boots. We are currently providing gear for 300 porters per month.
$5000 $50.00