Sabrina Dhowre Elba, cofounder of S’Able Labs, traveled to West Africa to see the work that the humanitarian organization World Vision is doing in the Tamale region of Ghana. The country is a critical supplier of natural cosmetic ingredients to the global beauty industry and the world’s second leading producer of cocoa, being only behind its neighbor Côte D’Ivoire.
According to World Vision, an estimated 2.1 million children work on cocoa farms in Côte D’Ivoire and Ghana alone, and more than half of all cocoa farmers in some areas of Ghana are engaged in child labor. The organization, operating in Ghana since 1979, works to support women, eliminate child labor and promote ethical sourcing.
“It was heartbreaking to learn that many children were working long hours instead of going to school, simply because families had no other option, as they were forced by a system of unfair wages as well as climate change affecting economic opportunities,” Elba told WWD.
Sabrina Dhowre Elba in Ghana with World Vision.
Courtesy of World Vision
The entrepreneur visited several cooperative groups and spoke directly with the women who farm ingredients and produce shea butter in the country.
“With the support of structured cooperatives, these women now earn a stable income that allows them to send their children to school, cover basic needs, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. It was powerful to witness the shift and reaffirmed to me that when brands engage responsibly at the source, we’re not just buying ingredients, but investing in futures and supporting ecosystems of empowerment,” she said.
Sabrina Dhowre Elba in Ghana with World Vision.
Courtesy of World Vision
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