By Lucy Boult

Success stories – Gerardo Arias Camacho

In the mid-90s, he decided to go to America to make money and support his family. After eight years, he had earned enough to buy the a farm back home, But coffee prices were so low that he was forced to go back to the States for another two years. Now that his farm is Fair trade-certified, prices are stable and they receive a guaranteed premium. He spends the money on education, environmental protection, roads, bridges, and improving the old processing plant. They have also sponsored a scholarship programme so that his kids can stay in school longer.

“I believe that my farm would be out of business

if it wasn’t for Fair trade”.

This is Gerardo. He is a coffee producer

from Costa Rica.

Success stories- Aly Diabate

Aly Diabate was promised a bicycle and $150 for his family in exchange for his work on a farm in Ivory Coast. Once he arrived at the farm life was not as he had expected. He and the other children were forced to work 12 hours every day in the fields. He was forced to carry bags of cocoa that were taller than his four foot frame.

One day a boy was able to escape and reported Le Gros to the Auhorities. The farmer was arrested and the boys send back home. Le Gros had to pay Aly the equivalent of U.S.$180 for eighteen months work. Aly is left with physical and mental scars. He had nightmares of the beating every night.

"When I was 11 years old, I was takenby a slave trader and sold to a farmer

in the Ivory Coast. For 4 years, I worked 80 - 100 hours per week. I was beaten. Atnight me and 18 boys were locked into a windowless shed. We had a bucket to use instead of a toilet. We were let out only

to work."

Chocolate

Do you know

where this comes

from?

Here…

The bitter truth about chocolate

In 2001, the US State Department estimated there were 15,000 child slaves in cocoa, cotton, and coffee farms in Côte d'Ivoire.

Parents in some countries are so desperate that they sell their children to the cocoa industry as slaves.

And…

66% of children working on cocoa farms don’t attend school !

How can you stop child labour?

look out for this

symbol on product

packaging

What products can you find this on?

Beauty products ChocolateCoffeeTeaCotton Fresh and dried fruitVegetablesGoldFlowersHerbs and spices

Juices and soft drinksCakesCerealsBiscuitsSweetsHoneyAlcoholIce creamOilSports equipmentRiceAnd Yogurt

Thank you for watching!

http://theco-operative.ethical.tv/node/185