Cargill celebrates opening of orphanage in Cote d'Ivoire's Soubre region

SOUBRE, Cote d'Ivoire, June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- An orphanage, funded by Cargill, has been officially opened by Mr. Pierre Douhou MBA, Cote d'Ivoire's Director of Cabinet for the ministry of Family, Women and Child.  

This much needed orphanage will accommodate up to 60 orphans from across the country providing them with a safe and secure home, as well as improved access to education and healthcare.

Speaking on behalf of Cargill's cocoa and chocolate business, Yves Onghen, Training and Project Coordinator explains "As part of Cargill's Sustainable Cocoa Program, we strive to make a lasting difference in the rural communities where we live and work.  For this project, we have worked with local non-governmental organisation 'Compassion Esther' to respond to the pressing need for safe housing for children in Soubre."

The project was commissioned by Cargill in 2010, following the discovery that local woman Mme Ouedraogo had taken twenty two orphans into her own home.  As a direct result, Cargill built and furnished this new orphanage. 

Mme Ouedraogo, Director of Compassion Esther, will manage the orphanage and explains what this place will mean to the children: "We are giving these children hope and an opportunity to dream. I am confident that by providing them with a roof over their head and a safe, loving home we will strengthen their confidence and help them fight for a better future."

The Cargill Sustainable Cocoa Program is working to secure the long term sustainability of cocoa production and to improve the lives of cocoa farmers and their families. Cargill has been training Ivorian cocoa farmers for more than 10 years and today helps tens of thousands of farmers increase yields, improve quality and adopt more sustainable practices. Additionally through its partnerships with CARE and the IECD, Cargill is improving access to healthcare, drinking water and renovating schools in 10 communities in San Pedro and Daloa. It has also renovated over 40 schools to provide education and practical farming skills to help young people improve their employment prospects. 

Notes for editors:

Cargill

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 139,000 people in 65 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to sharing its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business.

For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com.

Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate

Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate offers the food industry a wide range of both standard and customised cocoa and chocolate ingredients to be used in bakery, confectionery, and dairy applications all over the world. Its product range includes high quality Gerkens® cocoa powders, chocolate, coatings, fillings, cocoa liquors and cocoa butters. With years of experience in technical food expertise Cargill supports its customers in new recipes and new product development.

To secure a good quality and sustainable supply of cocoa beans Cargill has cocoa bean sourcing operations in the cocoa growing countries of the world and besides Ghana, has processing plants in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, France, Germany, the Netherlands, UK and the USA - fully dedicated to produce in accordance with the highest food safety standards and resulting in delicious cocoa and chocolate products for its customers.

The Cargill Sustainable Cocoa Program

The Cargill Sustainable Cocoa Program is working to secure the long term sustainability of cocoa production and to improve the lives of cocoa farmers and their families.

By teaching sustainable agricultural practices and introducing more business transparency it is enabling farmers to increase their yields and incomes. As well as strengthening the cocoa supply chain, the program is improving livelihoods in cocoa farming communities by supporting better access to education and healthcare.

In partnership with a range of organizations the program is making a real and lasting difference, and jointly with customers is working towards a sustainable future for mainstream cocoa.

Cargill's Commitment to its Communities

Cargill works with a diverse group of partners to support responsible economic development and to bring positive, measurable improvements to the communities where we live and work.

Our businesses and our people provide support by contributing time, talent and financial resources, as well as promoting good civic behaviour and dialogue between stakeholder groups.

We are committed to contributing 2 percent of our global consolidated pre-tax earnings, based on a three-year trailing average, to programs that are focused on improving nutrition and health, education and environmental stewardship.

We recognize our continued success depends on the growth and health of our communities and partners. We are committed to investing in, engaging with and respecting the cultures of the communities where we live and work to promote sustainable and responsible economic development, to create growth that improves living standards and promote vibrant, stable communities.

SOURCE Cargill