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Child Labor and Slavery in the Chocolate/Cocoa Industry
By Stephanie Bechara Chocolate, a product of the cocoa bean, remains one of the world’s most popular snacks. In 2020, 268.09 million Americans alone consumed chocolate and other candies (Wunsch, 2021). While chocolate may be a joy stimulant when consumed in moderation, the conditions faced by the people who grow cocoa may not be as…
Labor Exploitation in the Coffee Industry
Introduction The morning “cup of joe” is an everyday staple for coffee enthusiasts all over the world. However, the deplorable human rights violations pervasive throughout the coffee industry remain unbeknownst to a vast majority of these drinkers. The International Labor Foundation reports that there are 25 million people currently entrapped in forced labor of some…
Spes Nova at Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice 2019 in Washington D.C.
On December 15-17, Spes Nova Inc. sent our founder, Dr. Erick Rengifo and four students (Ngan Tran (IPED 2020), Victor Sapkota (IPED 2021), Alison Stauffer (Gabelli 2021) and Jessica Sudol (2022)) from Fordham University to the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice 2019 in Washington D.C. The conference was a great opportunity for Spes Nova to…
Spes Nova Lecture Series and Networking Event Held at Fordham University
Last November 27, Spes Nova Inc. organized a lecture and networking event for its university chapters at Fordham University. The event raised issues pertinent to the business model that Spes Nova has, and opened opportunities for collaboration in the future. The lecture series first featured Dr. Michael Pirson who discussed the difference between economic and…
Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers Cooperative
One of the cooperatives that Spes Nova works with is the Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers Cooperative. The members of this cooperative live in the village of Nyamarambe in Western Kenya. Nyabigena means “land of soapstone,” and the cooperative has several soapstone quarries nearby. The carvers do not have complex equipment, so all of the work is…
The Three Pillar Approach
Spes Nova works to alleviate poverty by helping to fund, protect and expand markets for entrepreneurs and small businesses around the world. Spes Nova is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization working with volunteers, supporters, universities, religious groups and non-government organizations to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in some of the poorest communities around the world. Our…
Spes Nova helps source funds for micro-loans
Spes Nova helps source funds for micro-loans. By providing an interactive website on the internet, Spes Nova allows potential loan sponsors to search through databases of credit-worthy entrepreneurs in impoverished countries. The sponsors may target individual loans by country, by region, by type of venture or simply by supporting individuals or situations that speak to…
Spes Nova partners with Fordham’s Fair Trade club to start pilot
Spes Nova and Fordham’s Fair Trade club have started a pilot to sell products bought by students. These products were bought during the 2014 trips to India and Kenya. The trip was conducted by professor Kate Combellic. We expect to use this pilot to implement similar initiatives around USA and globally by involving students, faculty…