The Secrets Behind Chocolate By Nasya Cedeno

The Secrets Behind Chocolate

By Nasya Cedeno

Dear Chocolate Lovers,

          Do you like chocolate? I do too but I think it’s important for you to know how your chocolate is made. What a lot of people don’t know is that traffickers take children in Africa and take the children to a place called Ivory Coast and then they take them across the border with a truck full of children. These men use these children for child labor.

          Children take a bus to Ivory Coast, and once they arrive that is the moment when the traffickers snatch the kids, cross the border and put them straight to work. Some children don’t even know what the word “chocolate” means nor its taste. CNN's FREEDOM PROJECT “Chocolate Slaves” explains that these children are used as slaves. Since these children work outdoors, the chemicals make the water dirty and the air as well. People who breathe that air can get sick and die. That makes it hard for the children because they can’t even drink water. Another issue is that most of the children that work get exposed to pesticides of the fertilizer. This is a very dangerous situation.

But you can change the life of these children by doing different types of activities. For example, you can send a Valentines Day letter to the Hershey Company on why they should stop using child labor. You can write about what you think and much more. You can be a better person and change a child’s life. I say this is a very simple way to support the end of child labor. Many teens can help out and take action in this activity.

Another way is by buying fair trade chocolate. As the article “Reverse Trick-or-Treaters Deliver Fair Trade Chocolate” says Fair Trade chocolate uses no child labor in their product. The government even gives them 150 dollars for their use of no child labor. The campaign is a simple and easy way to help and get into the action.

          Raise your voice, speak up, and stand up for what you believe. These children can’t speak for themselves but you can, you can save them and much more, these children need your help. Take action for these children, they want an education and a good future. You can give it to them if you try your best taking a stand!