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October 3, 2005
Providing Work Opportunities for Local People
in Peru - the Inka Porter Project
By Danielle Weiss,
Sustainable Tourism Coordinator
G.A.P Adventures
In January & March 2005, G.A.P Adventures and the Inka Porter
Project (IPP), a Peruvian non-profit organization worked together
to develop and offer training courses to 123 people from four local
communities just outside of Cuzco to work as Porters and Cooks on
the Inca Trail in Peru.
Our 2-day Porter Training Courses were developed as a way to provide
job skills training and to educate community members about relevant
social and environmental issues. Participants were divided into
small groups of 10 – 15 to take part in various workshops.
The workshops included how to set up tents, how to care for, maintain
and carry camping equipment, and special techniques to use in order
to avoid future back problems. Other topics included first aid training,
a basic English language course, training on proper disposal of
organic & inorganic waste, responsible tourism, cultural heritage
and trust building exercises. Participants were also given a copy
of the Porter Law which was reviewed and discussed.
A 3-day training course for Cooks was also offered to teach participants
how to prepare food for our travellers on the Inca Trail and on
the importance of food presentation and hygiene. Our cooks were
then provided the opportunity to cook and serve food for all porters,
guides, teachers, and G.A.P Cuzco office staff during our 2-day
Porter Training Course.
In order to receive further training and work experience, participants
from these courses have been hired to work for G.A.P Adventures
on the Inca Trail. We ensure that our porters and cooks are paid
fair wages and are provided with adequate food and camping equipment.
G.A.P also pays for all travel expenses to and from the point of
departure and in accordance with the Porter Law our porters carry
a load limit of 20 kg or less.
G.A.P Adventures
is the sponsor of the grand prize for our first story contest: an
exciting adventure cruise on the Amazon on the historic and unique
Explorer expedition cruise ship. Visit our contest page to find
out more about our first travel story
contest.
Related Articles:
Stories from Peru: The Women's
Weaving Project
An interview preview with Bruce
Poon Tip, G.A.P.' s founder
An interview preview with Danielle
Weiss, Latin America fan and sustainable tourism expert
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