Hershey, the prominent chocolate brand, has made significant strides in promoting education in cocoa-producing regions through a collaborative effort with local and international partners. Recently, the company inaugurated three public primary schools in Gly, a village in the Lôh-Djiboua region of Côte d’Ivoire. This initiative, which includes the construction of a new school and the renovation of two existing ones, highlights Hershey’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure in areas critically affected by child labor issues prevalent in the cocoa farming industry. By focusing on educational development, Hershey aims to make a positive impact on the lives of children in these regions.
The project is a result of a tripartite partnership involving Hershey, the National Committee for Monitoring Actions to Combat Child Labor, headed by Côte d’Ivoire’s First Lady, Dominique Ouattara, and the International Cocoa Initiative Foundation. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of tackling child labor in cocoa production by providing access to quality education. Hershey’s investment in these schools signifies a proactive stance towards ensuring that children have the educational opportunities necessary to thrive and escape the cycle of poverty often linked to child labor.
Hershey has long recognized the importance of education, as highlighted by Senior Vice President and General Counsel, James Turoff. He affirmed that for over 130 years, the company has viewed supporting education as fundamental to its mission in cocoa-producing communities. Turoff emphasized that by enhancing access to quality education, the initiative hopes to facilitate growth and enrichment for future generations of children in these areas. Such commitments reflect Hershey’s sustained efforts to address the complex challenges faced by communities involved in cocoa production.
The newly inaugurated school in Gly has been named ‘Gly 3 Dominique Ouattara’ in honor of the First Lady’s dedication to children’s rights and well-being. Ouattara expressed gratitude for Hershey’s contributions, stating that the new schools represent a vital step toward a brighter future for rural children in Cote d’Ivoire. Her comments resonate with the vision shared by Hershey and local leaders to provide modern and adequate educational facilities in underserved regions, thereby enabling children to realize their potential. The involvement of prominent figures such as Ouattara emphasizes the collaborative nature of the initiative and the importance of community support.
Among the attendees at the inauguration were local officials, traditional leaders, and representatives from various sectors, further demonstrating the wide-ranging support for this educational initiative. Key figures such as the Minister of Women, Family, and Children, Nassénéba Toure, who represented Ouattara, underscored the importance of continuing to address the issues of child labor and insufficient educational resources in cocoa farming regions. The initiative not only celebrates the opening of schools but also aims to foster a sense of community commitment to the welfare of children within these communities.
This school inauguration is part of Hershey’s broader “Cocoa for Good” strategy, which aims to enhance educational infrastructure in cocoa-producing regions. The company has announced plans to build a total of 12 primary schools with 72 classrooms by 2025 in Cote d’Ivoire. By laying this foundational vision, Hershey showcases its long-term commitment to creating lasting change in cocoa-producing areas, advocating for children’s educational rights, and embedding sustainability within the cocoa supply chain. Through these actions, Hershey continues to align its business practices with social responsibility, ensuring that it contributes meaningfully to the development of the communities that play a vital role in its supply chain.
