By Jenny Castro
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 1/10/24 – Dignity Coconuts is a health and wellness brand that focuses on human trafficking prevention by employing those who are in danger or vulnerable to such a potential in rural and poor areas in the Philippines.
The company is currently based in both the United States and Manila, and also places strong emphasis on providing jobs for the community and helping farmers get out of debt who otherwise have fallen victim to predatory loans or unfair corrupt pricing for their coconuts which put their families (women and children) more at risk due to debt.
As for starting Dignity Coconuts, the premise was specifically based on human trafficking prevention and helping the community through employment.
“We were struck by the statistic that 30 million women and children woke up this morning without the choice of what they’ll do and who touches their body,” said Erik Olson, president of Dignity Coconuts. “We found the key reason women were getting sucked into it, is due to lack of jobs which makes them desperate to put their lives in the hands of people they probably shouldn’t trust.
“We found that 80 percent of women who escape trafficking end up getting back into that evil industry if they can’t find a safe meaningful job, and our thoughts turned to finding a better solution to stop this,” Olson said..
Dignity Coconuts currently focuses on rural areas located on the seaside villages in the Philippines,
“This area has a lot of rice, coconuts and fish, and is very poor. We know that trafficking has happened in this area as well, which has all the ingredients for it to happen at a larger scale,” Olson said.
Such vulnerability to the community prompted the start of the company which creates organic and vegan raw coconut oil. Products that are available to purchase include the coconut oil itself which can be used for cooking and beauty purposes. Some ways you can utilize the coconut oil include applying it as a moisturizer, or using it as a makeup remover, under eye-cream, hair mask, or deep conditioner.
Another product to purchase includes the all-natural vegan lip balm currently available in packs of various flavors including peppermint, juicy citrus, and vanilla. The lip balms are chemical free and offer healthier options to moisturize your lips. Dignity Coconuts also offers an exfoliating brush, a clean beauty kit, and takes pride in their meaningful impact in the communities in which they serve in the Philippines.
So far, the company has helped over 156 farmer families get out of predatory loans. Olson said.
“We have a loan forgiveness program, and have helped them get fair prices for their coconuts and provide their families work opportunities,” he said.
Currently, Dignity Coconuts has about 114 employees at their facility in the Philippines which includes those from farmer families. With such meaningful work, Dignity Coconuts is changing the narrative of giving back to the community while creating innovative and refreshing products.
You can check out Dignity Coconuts official website at https://dignitycoconuts.com/ and you can follow them on Instagram at @dignity.coconuts