The great thing about our team is that we are made of individuals from very different professional and geographical backgrounds. What unites us is our firm conviction in social and environmental justice hence our determination to position Washu Chocolate as an inspirational advocator of fair trade, conservation and environmentally-friendly practices in Ecuador and around the world.
Our Story
Washu Chocolate works with a small community of cacao producers from Tesoro Escondido in Ecuador. Not only do they harvest a variety of fine-flavoured cacao called "Nacional" but they also take part in one of the largest forest conservation efforts in the province of Esmeraldas. Our chocolate supports fair trade practices, community-led development, environmental awareness programmes, scientific research and the rehabilitation of spider monkey victims of ilegal wildlife trade. Thanks to this chocolate, we contribute to rescuing the Ecuadorian brown-headed spider monkey and its habitat from the brink of extinction.
What is a Washu?
Washus or spider monkeys live in the last remaining forests of the Ecuadorian coast. They feed off fruit, dispersing their seeds across hectares and hectares of primary forest, thus contributing to the ecological balance of the Ecuadorian Chocó. Females breastfeed their offsprings for three years and protect them with their lives. Sadly, they are on the verge of extinction because of severe deforestation, illegal hunting and illegal wildlife trade. This primate species is the most endangered in Ecuador and is listed amongst the top 25 most endangered globally.
Mission
Washu Chocolate's mission is to create a space for socially and environmentally-minded consumers of high-quality chocolate in order to address the critical situation facing biodiversity hotspots in Ecuador and across the world. We, alongside the farming community of Tesoro Escondido, invite you to take part in our conservation efforts through the responsible consumption of our chocolate.
Our plan of action
Washu Chocolate aims to become a protection fund for critically endangered species such as the Ecuadorian brown-headed spider monkey. A percentage of the profits generated through the sales of our chocolate will be reinvested in conservation and community-led development strategies to support the efforts of our sister NGO, Proyecto Washu, and the ASOPROTESCO cooperative in Tesoro Escondido.
