26 employees rewarded with once-in-a-lifetime learning journey to cocoa origin country
To celebrate the completion of “Water for Life…for All”, Barry Callebaut’s global employee volunteering program to raise awareness of sustainability issues and collect funds to help cocoa communities, 26 “Water for Life Champions” from around the world visited Cameroon cocoa communities in January 2016.
The 26 Water for Life Champions participated in a week-long immersion experience in cocoa in Cameroon, with a special focus on water related challenges and solutions in cocoa growing communities. For most of them, it was their first time in Africa, their first time seeing cocoa trees, and their first time visiting rural communities.
They sent excerpts of their travel diaries to share with us their impressions.
Starting with a tour back in Cameroon’s history
Meeting proud cocoa farmers
Learning about certification programs on-the-ground
Witnessing the impact of water filters on the lives of cocoa families
Supporting primary schools through the distribution of school supplies
the Water for Life Champions attended a training about the cocoa sustainability program Cocoa Horizons