An Inspiring Meeting at the Papua New Guinea High Commission

In February, Sarah our funder had the honour of being invited to the Papua New Guinea High Commission in London to meet with Her Excellency Ms Betty Palaso.

It was a truly special moment for Sarah, not only as the founder of Cocoa Sisters, but as someone deeply committed to building meaningful relationships with the communities and countries at the heart of her work.

Sharing the Cocoa Sisters Story

Despite her incredibly busy schedule, Her Excellency generously took the time to sit down with Sarah and learn more about Cocoa Sisters, how it began, where it is today, and where she hopes it will go.

They spoke at length about the remarkable women cocoa farmers Sarah has had the privilege of working with, and the stories that continue to shape everything we do as a business. These are women who are not only producing high-quality cocoa, but who are also supporting families, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for others around them.

Being able to share their stories in such a setting felt incredibly important to her.

Conversations That Matter

A key part of their discussion focused on the challenges faced by women farmers in Papua New Guinea and the need for greater, sustained support.

Sarah and Her Excellency also spoke openly about the realities of running a small ethical business. One of the biggest challenges Cocoa Sisters face is the cost of exporting and shipping cocoa. For businesses like Cocoa Sisters, who are committed to paying fair prices to farmers, these additional costs can be one of the most difficult barriers to growth.

It was encouraging for Sarah to have such an honest and thoughtful conversation about these challenges and to know they are recognised at a wider level.

Looking Ahead

Sarah also shared her ambition for Cocoa Sisters: to grow the business in a way that allows us to purchase cocoa from more women farmers in Papua New Guinea and beyond, always at fair and sustainable prices.

This is something she cares deeply about and is very aware that it takes time to build responsibly and ensure that growth benefits everyone involved.

A Meaningful Moment of Support

One of the most encouraging moments of the meeting was when Her Excellency asked Sarah to keep her updated on the Cocoa Sisters journey, and offered her support should there ever be a way she could assist.

That gesture meant a great deal. It reinforced the importance of the work Cocoa Sisters are doing and gave Sarah even more motivation to continue building Cocoa Sisters with purpose and care.

A Day to Remember

Sarah also had the opportunity to present Her Excellency with chocolate made from cocoa grown by our partner farmers, a small but meaningful way to share the results of their hard work.

Reflecting on the day, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity, for the conversation, and for the continued support of those who believe in what Cocoa Sisters stands for.

What an incredible day.