Dora Atiiga refused to accept that future for the children in her community.

Dora is 31 years old, a Cocoa Farmer, a Teacher and a mother of three girls. She is a member of the Kukuom Union co-operative in Ghana and a graduate of Fairtrade Africa’s Women’s School of Leadership. But before stepping into these roles, she describes herself very differently: ‘a young woman who at first could not express or share my point of view’ and ‘totally dependent’ on her husband, Dora often stayed silent.

Joining the Fairtrade Women’s School of Leadership marked a turning point. The programme brought together women farmers to strengthen their confidence, skills and voice - from financial management and public speaking to negotiation skills. Globally, between 60 and 80% of the world’s food is grown by women, yet their voice often goes unheard. Dora chose to claim hers.

Through the course, Dora began to see new possibilities. When she looked around her village, she saw a problem that went beyond her own farm: there was no early-years school. Parents had little choice but to take very young children with them to work on cocoa farms. Fairtrade training had reinforced a clear message: children belong in school.

So Dora started one herself.

She started small, teaching and feeding six children herself. But as parents saw the difference it made, word spread and numbers grew. Today, it has grown into a registered school with around 170 pupils, eight teachers and cook. Dora continues to provide free care and education for families in her community – helping to tackle the root causes of child labour.

Dora’s days are long: she continues to farm cocoa, run her school and raise her three children. Today, she advocates as a Fairtrade Youth Ambassador for living incomes, climate action and children’s rights in her community - not as someone waiting for change, but as someone actively driving it. 

In Dora's words

What is a typical day like for you?

‘I wake up early in the morning, sometimes around 4:30am. I prepare food and [send my kids] to school, I go to my school and check on how things are going. And then I come back home, come to the cocoa farm… and then in the evening at around 4-5pm I'll go back home and prepare food for my family.’

How has leadership training supported you?

‘I had the opportunity to join the Women's School of Leadership by Fairtrade Africa… it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. As a young woman who at first could not express or share my point of view in public, [I am] now able to advocate on living income and climate action… without fear or panic.’ 

Why did you start your own school?

‘I realised I can use [my knowledge] to help the little ones. Since there was no school for little children in my community, I decided to start one as a dream… as my little way of tackling child labour in my community…’

How did the school grow?

‘As time goes on, parents of the community realised it was a good thing. It was helping them. So most of the parents [started] bringing their kids and I couldn't control them myself… so [I started] getting in more and more teachers’ 

How has your life changed?

‘Once a totally dependent woman on my husband, [I am] now an employer with 9 employees and also giving quality care and education free of charge to children.

I can now boldly say that I'm no more dependent on my husband alone… some are now depending on me.’

What keeps you going? 

‘Sometimes, I feel tired. There are days when it’s a lot. But each morning, when I wake up, I’m motivated to keep going.’