Social Sustainability

Fair trade depends on people of different
ethnicities communicating and working together.

One of our social obligations is to promote the ideas
of fair trade in all our communities.

Over the past 600 years, Africa has had various foreign societal variables imposed on its people and social fabric Ð from foreign languages to religions and educational institutions. Today, as a result, many Africans suffer from identity confusion. Also, divisions created by introduced religions and beliefs prevent African nations from unifying. Alaffia is taking steps to reduce cultural colonialism by accepting all points of view. We also believe it is important to encourage traditional African products and cultural traditions.

Cultivating Social Harmony

At our Shea Butter center, everyone involved is encouraged to dress as they wish, speak their own languages, and practice their traditional beliefs. Our Shea Butter cooperative is made up of women from various ethnic groups, which each have their own languages and religious preferences. We also promote and value indigenous African knowledge in handcrafting Shea Butter, which is deeply embedded in our society as well as other African savanna societies. The women we work with are not required to speak or write French, which is a prerequisite for employment in almost every organization in Togo. These policies help to preserve local languages and cultures.