Source – thehersheycompany.com
Hershey’s Legacy of Supporting Education
For over 130 years, supporting children’s education has been central to Hershey’s mission. This commitment now extends beyond the U.S., as the company takes significant steps to improve educational infrastructure in cocoa farming communities in West Africa. Hershey has partnered with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to fund the construction of 12 new schools, including one in the small village of Ozékro, located in the western cocoa-growing region of the country.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance access to quality education, especially in remote and underserved areas. Beyond building schools, Hershey is also investing in teacher training, remedial education programs, and initiatives to improve literacy and numeracy for millions of primary school children through the Child Learning and Education Facility (CLEF).
The importance of education is deeply rooted in Hershey’s history, a value that resonates strongly with Tim McCoy, Director of Cocoa Partnerships at Hershey. McCoy’s own background, growing up in rural Appalachia, instilled in him a belief in education as a key to a brighter future. This belief aligns with the mission of Milton Hershey, the company’s founder, who established the Milton Hershey School to provide underprivileged youth with opportunities for productive lives. Hershey’s ongoing investments in education aim to fulfill this legacy by extending similar opportunities to children in cocoa-farming regions, helping to ensure that they have access to the education needed to build a better future.
Collaborative Efforts to Improve Educational Infrastructure
Hershey’s efforts in West Africa are supported by collaborations with various stakeholders, including the Jacobs Foundation, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, and other chocolate producers and cocoa suppliers. Together, these partners form the Child Learning and Education Facility (CLEF), a public-private coalition dedicated to improving access to quality education in cocoa-producing areas. The coalition aims to build 2,500 new classrooms, train teachers, establish remedial education programs, and improve literacy and numeracy for 5 million primary school children.
In addition to school construction, Hershey signed an agreement with Côte d’Ivoire’s National Oversight Committee for Actions to Fight Child Labor, Trafficking, and Exploitation (CNS) and the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) to fund the building of 12 primary schools, comprising 72 classrooms, in cocoa-producing communities. In 2023, Hershey completed three new schools in Côte d’Ivoire, with nine more scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. These efforts are crucial in communities like Ozékro, where the new public primary school has already had a positive impact on nearly 200 households, providing children with a safe and accessible learning environment.
Comprehensive Support for Sustainable Education
Hershey’s initiatives in cocoa farming communities go beyond building schools. The company is also focused on improving the overall educational environment by constructing canteens, upgrading water wells, and installing latrines. Recognizing the importance of well-trained teachers, Hershey is working with partners to provide educator training and, when necessary, build teacher lodgings. The company is also supplying school materials in line with government child labor action plans and assisting children in obtaining birth certificates, which are essential for school enrollment.
Aligned with Côte d’Ivoire’s National Strategy for Sustainable Cocoa and Hershey’s Income Accelerator program, these investments reflect a shared commitment to creating a more sustainable and equitable cocoa supply chain. Hershey acknowledges that building a sustainable future for cocoa farming communities requires broad cooperation and support. By eliminating barriers to education and fostering a supportive learning environment, Hershey is helping to set the stage for long-term success in these communities, ensuring that future generations of children have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
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