Chocolatae

Almost everyone loves chocolate, from the Meso-American peoples who cultivated it thousands of years ago to the modern day chocoholic. There's a wide variety of choices out there, from low end chocolate flavored bars referred to as "confections" to the priciest dark chocolate truffle, which contains a real black truffle. In between, you'll find every kind of bonbon, fudge, candy bar, and other chocolate treats. Some companies have become extremely famous for their chocolate. Here are a few.

Mars and the Hershey Company are the biggest manufacturers in the world, producing popular, inexpensive candies that are enjoyed by large numbers of people. Other important chocolate makers in this price range include Nestle, Cadbury, and Lindt.

They all make some of the most popular candies there are, but there have been recent concerns over quality decreases and the sourcing of these companies' chocolate, as some African chocolate producers make use of child and slave labor.

Hershey is the biggest company in North America that makes chocolate. Headquartered in the town of the same name in Pennsylvania, this company makes the area smell of cocoa. The town is also home to a theme park - Hershey's Chocolate World. The company was founded in the 1890s by Milton S. Hershey, and is most famous for Hershey's Kisses, the Hershey Bar, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Mars is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, and owned by the Mars family. That makes it one of the largest privately owned companies in the US. It's know for the Milky Way, Mars, and Snickers bars, as well as M&Ms and Twix.

Other chocolatiers make their candy for a market willing to pay a higher price for chocolate made from better ingredients. Such chocolatiers as Godiva, Leonidas, and others produce high end chocolates for people who want a truly high quality confection.

There are other chocolate makers that produce even more expensive chocolates, made from beans sourced from single plantations, using no fillers, and using only the best fruits, nuts, and other ingredients. However, they're often not as well known by the average person as the larger distributors.

One chocolate maker that most people think is fictional is Willy Wonka. In this fantasy movie this candy maker had a content to see who would take over as the new owner of a fantastic candy factory. They gave away gold tickets in chocolate bars and the winners came to the factory to be secretly evaluated. This movie was so popular it was remade recently with actor Johnny Depp. Although not a real chocolate factory it was popular and had a chocolate moat in the movie.

Chocolate has a big influence on many of us. While we might not think a lot about it on a daily basis, we'd be disappointed if we weren't able to get this wonderful confection any more. Next time you have a piece of chocolate, whether it's an inexpensive Hershey's bar or a fine, hand-crafted truffle, think about the famous chocolate makers who are responsible for it being there.
http://chocolateguru.blogspot.com/
http://www.bournville.in
http://www.campco.org/
http://www.chocolatealchemy.com/
http://www.cyfood.com.tw
http://www.chocobong.com
http://onechocolateshop.eu
http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/

Money and time are as scarce as they are precious!!

• http://210.212.236.212/akshaya/index.php

• Kerala State Information Technology Mission (KSITM) is a Society registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary Scientific & Charitable Societies Registration Act (Act 12 of 1955). It is an autonomous nodal IT implementation agency for Department of Information Technology, Government of Kerala which provides managerial support to various initiatives of the Department.
• KSITM's primary responsibilities are:
• 1. Interfacing between the Government and the industry
• 2. Interacting with potential investors
• 3. Strengthening the IT / ITES industry base
• 4. Holding promotional campaigns for hard selling the state.
• 5. ICT dissemination to bridge the digital divide
• 6. E- Governance
• 7. Developing Human Resources for IT & ITES
• 8. Advising the Government on policy matters
• Akshaya is the flagship ICT for Development project by Kerala State IT Mission. Akshaya Project is piloted in Malappuram district by establishing more than 400 Akshaya e Centres connected through a wireless internet infrastructure. In the first phase of the project, nearly 6 lakhs people were trained in basic computer skills. Akshaya in now rolling out to seven other districts in Kerala as the second phase of state wide roll out. In the third phase Akshaya will be implemented in the remaining six more districts.
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• http://www.scojofoundation.org Summary : In 1999, Jordan co-founded Scojo Vision LLC, a leading designer and distributor of high-end reading glasses and accessories in the United States, Europe, Canada and Japan. A year later, he and his partner designated 5% of the company's profits to fund the Scojo Foundation, a social enterprise that trains entrepreneurs in developing countries to give eye screenings and sell low-cost reading glasses in their communities. His innovative model allows thousands of people in developing countries the gift of sight so they can continue working and contributing to their communities. In turn, Scojo provides entrepreneurial opportunities for the people who distribute and sell the reading glasses in countries like India, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Through an effective supply chain and economies of scale, Scojo Foundation provides high-quality reading glasses, previously unavailable in the communities where we work, at an affordable price. Scojo Foundation, because of its relationship to Scojo Vision, LLC., is able to source glasses at low cost and that low cost is passed onto the Scojo Vision Entrepreneurs. The Scojo Vision Entrepreneurs, in turn, sell the glasses to customers in their communities thereby enabling the women to earn a sustainable source of income. Our hope is to keep consumer prices low enough so that everyone, regardless of their socio-economic background, can afford clear near vision and access to advanced eye care services. They aim to provide reading glasses to 1.6 billion people across the globe. In El Salvador, Guatemala and India, Scojo Foundation identifies trains and supports community-based women entrepreneurs as "Vision Entrepreneurs" to sell reading glasses. They also partner with local organizations; they as partners help local organizations by providing them loans, funds, technical assistance, data collections, etc. and in return the local organizations help Scojo foundation by providing them with weekly data reports to Scojo on sales, identify local low income women to participate in the Scojo program.

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• http://www.schwabfound.org/
  This organization does not help anybody with money, instead helps social entrepreneurs with their recourses; they connect interested investors and social entrepreneurs through ICT. They have also connected with schools all around the world, which train social entrepreneurs for them. They conducts awards for social entrepreneur of the year, they also conduct various events for social entrepreneurs. They have many research papers and articles; they also have case studies on various social enterprises (including theirs). Their Objectives are 1.To be the foremost organization for identifying, selecting and highlighting accomplished social entrepreneurs at the regional and global levels, stimulating productive linkages between them. 2. To be a driving force that builds a global community of outstanding social entrepreneurs and others interested in promoting social entrepreneurship, leveraging successes of social entrepreneurs to achieve wider impact for the public good. 3. To be the preferred partner for companies and social investors seeking to support social entrepreneurs around the world. 4. To be a global standard bearer for excellence in social entrepreneurship and innovation for the public good.

• http://www.skollfoundation.org
  
  They support nonprofit organizations by helping them economically. They inspire innovation, creative ideas and new solution to problems. It also gives awards for social entrepreneurship; it connects social entrepreneurs with key people and resources through many academic, business and community channels. The Skoll Foundation advances systemic change to benefit communities around the world by investing in, connecting and celebrating social entrepreneurs.
  The Skoll grant includes funding for an endowed lectureship, a director for the Centre's activities, visiting fellows and five MBA Skoll Scholarships for students who want to apply entrepreneurial strategies to effect sustainable social change. Skoll Scholars develop a plan to positively impact a specific social problem and undertake a consultancy project in social entrepreneurship. In addition to developing an innovative teaching program, the Skoll Centre engages in a range of research activities, both discrete and collaborative. The aim is to produce work that engages with theory that is also valuable to practitioners in the field, so that the Centre is a useful knowledge resource for social entrepreneurs.
  
  

• http://www.socialedge.org
  It is a program of skoll foundation. It partners with social entrepreneurs giving them financial help, expert advice, offers, opportunities and it gives details about recent big projects & big donations and recent trends in social entrepreneurship. They have displayed some social problems with their solutions; they also invite solution to their problems online.
  Social Edge launched in June 2003 with the mission to:
  • Connect social entrepreneurs, their partners and allies to discuss cutting-edge issues shaping the field
  Foster frank dialogue, mutual respect and a sense of community among all in the sector. Promote learning from the best, promising and disastrous practices
  Social Edge has become a site where social entrepreneurs, philanthropists and other practitioners of the social benefit sector connect to network, learn, inspire and share resources. The site strikes a balance between the visionary and the practical, with its spirited discussions and online workshops and features.
  

• http://www.cgap.org
  Building Financial Systems for the poor.
  Microfinance: it is a financial institution which helps poor by giving them high interest rates on their savings, and low interest rates on the credit they give in time of crises and need. It provides detailed information of both donors and investors on net and demands for institutional funding.
  CGAP has five core concentrations:
  Developing and strengthening a wide range of institutions and means, both financial and non-financial, that deliver financial services to the poor.
  Improving the quality and availability of information about institutional financial performance. Establishing supportive legal and regulatory frameworks. Improving aid effectiveness. Reaching poor and unserved clients and ensuring impact on their lives.
  
  

• http://www.youthcomm.org
  Youth Communication helps teenagers develop their skills in reading, writing, thinking, and reflection, so they can acquire the information they need to make thoughtful choices about their lives.
  They do it by:
  Training teens in journalism and related skills;
  Publishing magazines, books and other materials written and illustrated by young people; Encouraging teens and the adults who work with them to use our publications to stimulate reading, writing, discussion, and reflection.New Youth Connections (or NYC) is a general interest teen magazine written by and for New York City youth. It began publication in May 1980, and is published seven times during the school year. Circulation is 65,000, and the magazine is distributed in every public high school in New York City, as well as to hundreds of libraries and community based organizations in New York and around the country. They have e-store where we can buy books, booklets and magazines written by youth and children. Major projects: Book for Educators and Child Welfare Staff , New Youth Connections, Represent, Rise. Minor Projects: Writing Workshops, Illustration Workshops, Lessons and Curricula, After School Literacy and Advisory Lessons, Foster Care Transition to Adult Life, Promoting Youth Voices, Awards for Youth in Foster Care, Writing Teams, Technology Training, Presentations and Public Speaking, Alumni Services, Special Presentations and Parents' Writing Group.
  
  

• http://www.freelancersunion.org
  Freelancers Union is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that represents the needs and concerns of America's growing independent workforce through advocacy, information and service. Independent workers—freelancers, consultants, independent contractors, temps, part-timers, contingent employees and the self-employed—currently make up about 30% of the nation's workforce. We exist because we believe that freelancers can help each other. Whether it's forming a group to get a lower rate on insurance, or answering each other's professional questions, everyone does better through cooperation. By coming together in Freelancers Union, independent workers also achieve visibility . The organization works to educate policymakers and the public about the needs of freelancers. We advocate for policy changes, and through our surveys, we do research on the independent workforce that no one else is doing.
  
  

• http://www.wadhwani-foundation.org
  Our Mission - To help individuals achieve their full potential, regardless of background.
  Our Strategy - We employ a two-pronged strategy to fulfill our mission:
  To inspire, educate and nurture new entrepreneurs, we develop and fund not-for-profit programs and organizations that create entrepreneurial education, build networks, raise awareness, perform research and help develop a supportive policy environment.
  
  In addition, certain sections of the population need extra support - individuals who due to physical and economic constraints often do not have the opportunity to explore, let alone reach, their full potential. We therefore fund not-for-profit efforts to empower the disadvantaged, with a focus on helping the disabled gain productive employment.
  
  They give rise to entrepreneurship. Their mission is to help individuals achieve their full potential, regardless of background. They have formed National Entrepreneurship Network, they also run Faculty development program. They have partnered with many colleges (including IIMA) and many organizations. They organize many competitions for students and professionals to give rise to entrepreneurship.
  
  

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• http://www.social-marketing.org Social marketing is the use of commercial marketing concepts and tools in programs designed to influence individuals' behavior to improve their well being and that of society. They provide team based strategic guidance, carry out and disseminate research, train and educate today's practitioners and prepare the next generation, sponsor academic research, provide connections and leadership. They also organize conferences; they have kept their papers of research and past conferences on the net.
  

• http://www.draperrichards.org
  The Draper Richards Foundation provides selected social entrepreneurs with funding of $100,000 annually for three years. The funds are specifically and solely for entrepreneurs starting new non-profit organizations. The Draper Richards Fellowships are highly selective. We only award six fellowships per year so we can fully engage with our portfolio of grantee organizations.
  
  

• http://www.can-online.org.uk
  CAN's Mission is to effect, through social entrepreneurs, major social change and to transform the lives of deprived communities in a tangible and measurable way. Our Vision is to work directly and with partners to develop a vibrant, exciting, robust, effective and sustainable social economy in the UK that improves prosperity, quality of life and well-being for all and in particular for disadvantaged communities in both urban and rural areas.
  Our Strategy is to focus on supporting social entrepreneurs to achieve a greater impact on their communities/the social economy, and to compete on equal terms with the private and public sectors.
  Our Purpose is to:
  Support social entrepreneurs across the board to do their jobs more effectively, and remove the obstacles that stand in their way
  Progress government, public and private sector thinking on the importance of this approach to social regeneration and sustainable economic growth
  Demonstrate the added value of CAN support, and be recognised as 'best in class' at this
  

• http://www.globalideasbank.org
  They have a database of nearly 4000 ideas online. Hundreds of ideas are submitted each month by people from all over the world, and over 160,000 visitors have voted on the site with a rating, which allows the best ideas to rise to the top democratically. It currently attracts a quarter of a million unique visitors annually.
  The Global Ideas Bank aims to promote and disseminate good creative ideas to improve society. It further aims to encourage the public to generate these ideas, to participate in the problem-solving process.
  These ideas we term social inventions: non-technological, non-product, non-gadget ideas for social change. These are a mix of existing projects, fledgling initiatives and new bright ideas.
  In this way, the Global Ideas Bank is part-suggestions box, part-ideas network and part-democratic think-tank, giving the "ordinary" person a chance to have their creativity recognized, rewarded and even put into practice.
  The Global Ideas Bank further aims to provide information and a community to help those individuals who wish to make their idea or project a reality in their own community. Here we can submit our ideas in the databank; we can also take the ideas form the website, and start a new enterprise through these ideas. Thus this website works as platform for idea exchange.

• http://www.startupnation.com (it may not be considered as social entrepreneurship)
  StartupNation is a free service founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. We created this site to be your one-stop shop for entrepreneurial success, and we're thrilled that StartupNation has grown to be the leading online content and community resource for entrepreneurs.
  
  Inside this site, you'll find all the easy-to-follow, practical information you could ever need to start and grow your own successful business. All of this is provided at no charge. Instead, our revenue comes from advertisers. It's our way of keeping the barriers between you and success to a minimum.
  
  StartupNation was created by two of the country's top entrepreneurial experts – Rich and Jeff Sloan. You can hear the Sloan brothers as they co-host StartupNation's nationally-syndicated, call-in radio program. They share advice, humor, and inspiration on over 80 radio stations across the country every week.StartupNation is a community of entrepreneurs who live the dream everyday – and we welcome you to be a part of it!
  
  

• www.designthatmatters.org
  Design that Matters is building a worldwide system that enables the citizen sector, university students, and businesses to jointly innovate for social change.
  
  Design that Matters acts as bridge to bring problems identified by nongovernmental organizations and members of underserved communities into the classroom for university engineering and business students to tackle in their courses and research. Design that Matters works with NGOs, corporate partners and local entrepreneurs to ensure that promising student innovations result in products and services for communities in need.
  
  Since its launch at MIT in 2000, Design that Matters has worked with hundreds of university engineering and business students on four continents to develop dozens of prototypes that promise to improve thousands of lives.
  

• www.educationpioneers.org
  Education Pioneers exists to train, connect and inspire a new generation of education leaders dedicated to transforming the educational system so that all students receive a quality education. To develop the human capital necessary for large-scale education reform, Education Pioneers operates a leadership training program where talented graduate students in business, education, law, policy, and other disciplines intern with innovative education organizations and train under successful education leaders.
  
  Education Pioneers piloted its Fellows Program in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2004, expanded to Boston in 2005 and New York City in 2006, and is poised to dramatically increase its national impact by expanding to two new sites in 2007 and three new sites in 2008. This growth will enable Education Pioneers to develop over 400 emerging education leaders through 2008 while supporting over 100 Partner organizations. By 2012, the Education Pioneers network will include over 1,000 alumni who will drive significant change as education leaders in urban centers across the nation.
  
  

• www.girlsforachange.org
  Girls For A Change is devoted to giving young urban women the skills, resources and support necessary to move from being spectators to being leaders. Girls For A Change brings together professional women to support urban middle and high school girls to become social change makers and innovators, by empowering them to design, lead, fund and implement social change projects that tackle problems they face in their neighborhoods.
  
  Niko Clifford started her work with young urban women as a manager at Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County. Niko co-founded the Silicon Valley Girls Coalition and was one of the authors of the "Women and Girls 2000 & Beyond: Strategies for Success" report published in 2001 by the Office of Women's Advocacy. With several years of experience in media relations, Niko has directed marketing campaigns for organizations such as Nokia. In January 1999, she co-founded Young Women Social Entrepreneurs, a Bay Area organization that promotes women with socially conscious agendas to reach high positions of leadership in business, government, and not-for-profit work. She has spoken about social entrepreneurship at The Haas Business School, The Simmons School of Management and The National Women's Leadership Coalition.
  
  Currently Girls For A Change serves urban girls in the San Francisco Bay Area and plans for national expansion in 2005.
  
  regards, jijusqc@gmail.com