It was among the indigenous cultures of the mountains of Thailand, that the social enterprise idea was born. Hence Akha Ama Coffee, a coffee roastery and shop in Chiang Mai that only sells coffee from indigenous communities, with whom it trades directly. The manager, Lee Ayu, is not just a roaster but also a social worker who strives to uplift his community by supporting sustainable agriculture and empowering farmers.

A member of an indigenous Akha family himself, Lee recognizes the challenges faced by his community—economic disparity, lack of access to education, environmental degradation—and in order to bring about positive change has sought to harness the collective wisdom and strength of his people.