We are in a challenging time.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused a global health crisis and an economic downturn. The Tanzanian tourism industry and Peak Planet has been significantly impacted. Our business has ground to a halt.
While some clients still have their climbs scheduled for this season, many have postponed their trips for 2021. As a result, most of our staff will have little to no income during the summer and maybe longer. Unlike some countries, where governments have stepped into support their citizens, Tanzania offers no such assistance.
It is with great humility that we come to you, our former clients, to ask that you consider helping our staff through this difficult time. We hope that with your support, we can offer our crews some funding so they can pay for basic needs while they wait for tourists to return.
Peak Planet employs approximately 200 full time porters, cooks and guides. We hope to pay each crew member $50. It may not sound like much, but $50 is enough for each person to feed and sustain him- or herself and their extended family for one month.
Our crews are not looking for a hand out; they are more than happy to work for payment. So in return, we will sponsor a multi-day clean-up project on Mount Kilimanjaro. This initiative aligns with one of our core principles - to promote environmentally responsible enjoyment of the outdoors. Our staff will remove trash and human waste around the park to keep the mountain pristine and beautiful for all future visitors.
Please consider donating to our guides, cooks and porters. We are collecting donations through this GoFundMe campaign. Our goal is to raise $10,000.
The campaign funds will be audited by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), a non-profit organization committed to improving the working conditions of porters on Kilimanjaro. Therefore, you can be assured that your donations will be delivered directly into the hands of the mountain staff.
We greatly appreciate any amount you may be able offer. Remember that even small donations will go a long way for each person and their families.
Sincerely,
Peak Planet