Can schools end child exploitation in Ivory Coast’s cacao fields?

Close to a million children work in Ivorian cacao farms. In the village of Okabo, a school built by parents with help from Save the Children offers a glimmer of hope—but can it lift families out of poverty?

Why It Matters

Your chocolate bar comes at a cost. The world’s chocolate industry is worth billions, yet the farmers producing its raw material remain impoverished. Despite efforts, child exploitation persists in Ivory Coast’s cacao sector. Is education a real solution—or just another promise that falls short?

Close to a million children work in Ivorian cacao farms. In the village of Okabo, a school built by parents offers hope—but can it lift families out of poverty?

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