Anne Powell rc for ANZRATH Wellington
“Every person ought to have the awareness that purchasing is always a moral – and not simply an economic – act.” Pope Francis, 1 January 2015
If you’re buying chocolate this Easter look for slave-free logos on chocolate wrappers as an indicator of slave-free cocoa.
Chocolate is a widespread sweet indulgence, but for many cocoa farmers the chocolate industry is anything but sweet.
More than 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa is grown in West Africa where over 10 million people are income dependent on cocoa farming. But low-commodity prices mean poverty is extensive in cocoa-farming communities.
Most villages lack basic services such as clean water and sanitation. Villagers often have to walk for hours a day to collect water, which is frequently dirty and contributes to disease.
Many children have to work to help their families make ends meet. Some as young as six years old are used as slave labour. As well as being deprived of an education they are often engaged in dangerous work, such as using machetes and applying toxic pesticides.
Some chocolate-making companies helping to make changes:
Actions
Anne Powell rc of the Cenacle Community, Waikanae, is a member of Aotearoa New Zealand Religious Against Trafficking of Humans (ANZRATH), Wellington, that raises awareness to combat modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation.
Published in WelCom March 2019Published on 1st Mar, 2024
Applications for the May 2024 Catholic Charities funding round are now open [..]
Published on 29th Jan, 2024
Pastoral Services Manager sought for Catholic Diocese of Hamilton [..]
Published on 25th Jan, 2024
A number of job vacancies are available across the country [..]
Published on 11th Dec, 2023
Bishop John would like to announce the Clergy shifts for 2024 [..]
Published on 1st Dec, 2023
Trauma specialist Dr Andy Harkin led a workshop in Napier for mental-health practitioners in October [..]