Safe Routes to School

For cocoa farming families in the SCAES cooperative in Côte d'Ivoire, the long distance to the nearest secondary school presented a major barrier to education and elevated the risk of child labor. An internal risk assessment revealed that the absence of a local secondary school severely limited opportunities for children to continue their studies. In response, the cooperative made education a central focus of its prevention strategy. They constructed a new secondary school in Meagui, covered school fees for members' children using Fair Trade Premium funds, and distributed uniforms and learning materials across the wider community. Despite these strong initial efforts, travel distance remained a critical hurdle for students living 11 to 17 kilometers away from the new facility. Through its worker led governance structures, SCAES chose to invest approximately $108,300 USD of Community Development Funds to solve these transportation challenges. The cooperative purchased and deployed dedicated school buses to transport students daily between producing villages and the secondary school. These buses operate on a reliable schedule, including midday trips, allowing students to attend classes while continuing to live at home. The initiative directly answered family concerns regarding safety, supervision, and the risks associated with children living unsupervised in town to attend school. This vital transportation program now supports approximately 400 students each year. Today, students are able to consistently attend school. The new buses have significantly reduced the need for alternative housing arrangements, resulting in much more stable attendance while keeping families closely involved in their children's daily lives. Combined with continued funding for fees and supplies, this investment strengthens access to education while dismantling the practical barriers that increase child labor risks. SCAES continues to assess additional community needs, including potential future housing solutions for students in more distant areas, as part of its long-term commitment to education.