The first time I heard the story of Coffee Commune, it quietly touched something deep inside me.
Eric Baden, a German had spent over a decade in China, helping coffee farmers in Yunnan build a better life. His identity and choices made me curious: what makes someone leave everything behind, cross oceans, and devote themselves to something that seemingly “doesn’t make money”?
It reminded me of a dream I once had while studying in the UK — to start a social enterprise offering work opportunities to the homeless, helping them slowly return to society. Unfortunately, the pandemic ended that plan before it began. I returned home, and it became one of my unfinished stories.
So, when I learnt that Mr Eric had stayed true to his original vision and persevered for ten years, I felt something stir again.
“If he can hold on for a decade,” I thought, “then when he needs support, I must step up.”
