As part of measures to support the education sector in Ondo and Cross River states, over three hundred and thirty Nigerian children have benefitted from Back to School kits donation from the Barry Callebaut Group.
The Group through its Cocoa Horizon sustainability program, distributed school kits to children of cocoa farmers under a community-based Child Labour Protection Initiative in cocoa farming communities.
Acknowledging receipt of the school kits, the Head Teacher of St. James Anglican, Primary School in Akure, Ondo State, Mrs. Ibitoye Janet Olukola expressed her gratitude on behalf of her school and school children who benefitted.
She further said this gesture would encourage farmers and people living in the communities to understand the importance of education, encourage their wards to attend school regularly and see the reason child labour should be totally discouraged on cocoa farms.
“What I’ve seen today, I am very happy with the Barry Callebaut organization for what they did for our learners. At least this will encourage some learners that are not willing to come to school to always come,” she said.
While addressing journalists, the Parent Teachers Association Chairman of St. William R.C.M, Primary School in Akure, Ondo State, Bola Amusan said the gesture means a lot to parents and learners in the community.
“When we talk about the parents; so many parents cannot afford to buy bags, textbooks, including biro and pencils. But the ones that have been brought today, means a lot; because it will help the parents and pupils, including the teachers. When students come from home without notebooks, pencils, biros or even textbooks, it affects the teachers that are teaching them, but now that they have books, bags, crayons and all the materials, they will be coming to school. Now they won’t experience the challenge of coming to school with just two notebooks for over thirteen (13) subjects.” He added.
Also giving her remark, the Head Mistress of St. William R.C.M, Primary School, Akure, expressed her appreciation for the gifts given to her students.
She stated that the kind gesture of giving each pupil school bags, 120 packs of notebooks and other writing materials is worth applauding.
In a press release, the Group’s Sustainability Operations Manager, Mujeeb Oniyide said; “The back to school (kits) initiative provides quality educational items like school bags, lunch box bags, notebooks, writing materials like pen, pencil, eraser, sharper, ruler, mathematical sets, water bottles and sporting items to schools for over 330 children in 11 communities (5 communities in Ondo State and 6 communities in Cross-Rivers). This is a community-centric approach that is essential to create empowered communities, supporting cocoa farmers and making lasting change for the future of the children through the human right due diligence pillar of our Forever Chocolate strategy.”
Mr Mujeeb further outlined the commitment and objectives of the Forever Chocolate Strategy.
According to him, “Forever Chocolate is our plan to make sustainable chocolate the norm across our supply chain. Launched in 2016, the Forever Chocolate [’s] targets for 2025 are unique in terms of ambition in the cocoa and chocolate industry. We have sharpened our 2025 target, committing to covering our entire supply chain with Human Rights Due Diligence. This includes the continued monitoring and remediation of child labour cases. At the same time, we are adding a target for 2030, supporting cocoa farming communities to protect child rights and prevent child labour from occurring. This approach focuses on the adoption of child-centric due diligence systems in cocoa farming communities, empowering communities to protect child rights. This means early recognition of children at risk of being involved in the worst forms of child labour and action to mitigate these risks. Forever Chocolate is focusing on four pillars towards addressing the material challenges in the cocoa and chocolate supply chain: Prospering Farmers, Human Rights Due Diligence, Thriving Nature and Sustainable Ingredients.”
Other Schools on the list of beneficiaries include: St.James’ Caring Heart Mega Primary School, Akure, Mount Carmel R.C.M Primary School, Akure, and St. Andrew’s Anglican Primary School, Elegbeka-Olufa, in Ondo State.
In Cross River state, the schools include: Saint Benedict Primary School, Biakwan, Saint Mary Primary School Biajua, Saint Peter Primary School Etomi, Saint Eugene Primary School Ochon, Saint Matthew Primary School Okundi, and Government Primary School Bijah.
The Barry Callebaut Group is a manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products and is committed to sustainable cocoa production to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities through the promotion of sustainable entrepreneurial farming, improved productivity and community development.
