Dear Child-
While you are growing up you will experience many things. While I may not be able to give you everything, I hope that you will at least enjoy the following.
1- A clean living area.
2- Running and clean water.
3- Knowledge of a safe home.
4- A few toys to delight your day.
5- Clean food to eat and an occasional sweet.
6- The opportunity to go to school.
7- The ability to run and jump and play.
8- The opportunity to help others.
9- The opportunity to work for something that one wants.
10- The ability to call upon family members when one needs.
11- The ability to be free.
We have been blessed enough that my children will most likely be able to have most of these things. However, these dreams are not likely for many children. They are definitely not true for the children of chocolate slavery. These kids grow up with few options in life. They join chocolate slavery as a promise of hope and a way to help their family. Little do they know the realities of chocolate slavery that await them. Long hours, hard labor, working with tools such as machete’s, no pay, no family and no childhood.
There are many chocolate companies that are in a position to change the world with their practices. There are many companies that are indeed changing at this moment. There are also many companies that are not. Remember that child on the other end of the supply line next time you buy a piece of chocolate.
Okay- no crying here! I just really want everyone to realize this problem in the chocolate industry. I am a mom expressing a dissatisfaction for an industry that I have loved for years. Never would I want my child to live in chocolate slavery conditions. No, not all chocolate makers are participating in areas of chocolate slavery. I am working right now to determine how I want to make a difference for kids caught in chocolate slavery areas. When I figure that out, you can bet I will be singing it from my roof top to yours. I hope you will all be ready to help. To see what information I have compiled so far, click here.
Thanks! You are all awesome!
It breaks my heart to see children abused and taken advantage of like this. You can count me in. I will be listening.
Sweet! Thanks! I am so ready for the weekend- you?
It’s so sad to see and hear the horrible things children and their families endure around the world
Every time I hear of another one, it breaks my heart.
I found you on the 99 weekday, new follower too
-Desiree’
Life with our Family
I just feel bad, because this particular example is completely unwarranted. Have you heard of blogust.org? Check it out. For the entire month of August 2012, if you comment on the scheduled blogs money for vaccinations are donated that save a child’s life. Thanks for coming by!