The ethical brand, co-owned by farmers, began the programme in 2014 at Ghana's Kuapa Kokoo cooperative (which owns 20% of Divine Chocolate).
Fairtrade said the aim of the project is to increase basic literacy and numeracy skills, particularly among women, to support empowerment and engagement.
The programme has been a huge success and feedback from participants has been positive, with many keen to continue their learning journey, a spokesperson told ConfectioneryNews.
“One of the main motivations is to be able to assist children with homework. From a business perspective, the leading motivations include engaging in costing and pricing activities and reading the weighing scale when farmers send their cocoa to the recorder or purchasing clerk.”
Comfort Opoku, a recipient of the programme from Kuapa Kokoo, said: “Now I can read and write, this has really boosted my confidence, and if I go to sell my cocoa, I am able to read the scale by myself’.”
The brand has announced the programme will be rolled out over the next 12 months to three more communities in Ghana - Assin Breku, Assin Fosu and Cape Coast.
Divine’s mission is to champion the needs of farmers, improving their lives and those of their families, to create a fair and sustainable world.
- Divine’s latest impact report is available to read by following this link.