The Dominican Republic celebrates its extraordinary women by shining a light on the unique and inspiring story of Chocal - a small women-owned-and-operated chocolate factory.
The Chocal Chocolate Factory started operating in 2007 when 30 women from the community of Palmar Grande, decided to take control of their future and create a business, with the support of non-profit organisation Fundelosa. It is a women?s cooperative that cultivates, processes, packages and sells chocolate.
Although the Dominican Republic has been a worldwide chocolate exporter for years, only recently has its cocoa industry become a source of income and purpose for women in rural communities. This cooperative has empowered women by creating jobs that generate income, giving opportunities to gain new skills and continue their education.
Chocal is a shop for visitors to learn all about Dominican cacao. Visitors can experience a half-day trip that allows them to tour the Chocal factory and meet the women, as well as sample the chocolate and try their hand at making chocolate bars. Thanks to a number of newly built roads and ?cocoa tourism? initiatives, visitors to the destination can easily access the cocoa plantation sites and embark on one of several cocoa trails.
For more information, visit: www.godominicanrepublic.com/plantation-trails
