“The unknown only scares us because we don’t know it. But as soon as we get to know our fellow creatures, with whom we share these forests, we realise they are just as caring, loving, and interesting as us.”

Making a difference

Today’s kids are struggling as never before. Families are under pressure, the news is filled with gloom, optimism is evaporating. We’re a group of educators, artists and therapists who want to help children develop hope, skills and confidence to cope with this challenging world. And we’re doing it through fun after-school activities that nurture self-knowledge, empathy and understanding. Inspired by a little cocoa bean…

The Book

The Little Cocoa Bean is a children’s book which explores the themes of identity, purpose, friendship, self-belief, feeling different, estrangement, reconcilation and inner experience through the history of chocolate. Set in Central America at the time of the Spanish conquest, it’s the story of a talking cocoa bean’s journey to bring the gift of chocolate to a new world and his adventures with animal friends along the way.

Why chocolate?

Because who doesn’t love chocolate? The Maya and Mexica peoples considered it the gift of the Gods, an idea preserved in its Latin name Theobroma Cacao. And its story encompasses the best and the worst in human nature, involving history, geography, science, politics, economics, culture, food technology, health and wellbeing. It’s the perfect way to encourage kids to think about the big issues of life and make connections between all these different subjects.

A weekly programme

Starting in October 2022, we’re running a programme of Saturday afternoon workshops for children aged 8—11 in East Dulwich, South East London. Each workshop lasts from 2—5 p.m. and is properly supervised by qualified facilitators, so you can drop the kids or stay with them. Children will be encouraged to read a chapter of the book each week, and each workshop begins with activities, and a group discussion, based on the issues it has raised.

For everyone

If you’re not in South East London, Little Cocoa Bean invites you to join his online club, receiving activity packs, suggestions on exciting and interesting things to do, and regular updates. Members of the club get to try new new materials first and special offers on all of our programmes. We also offer regular events for members to take part in.