Well, maybe not the whole world, but you can make part of it a little bit better.

We just popped into Free Bird Cafe in Chiang Mai for a delicious vegan breakfast. But eating food that’s been ‘ethically, responsibly and thoughtfully sourced’ isn’t what makes a trip to this little cafe special.

Bogs enjoying a pancake that’s doing a little bit more than just being vegan.

Free Bird Cafe, is actually a brilliant example of a socially driven business. Set up in 2009 by Thai Freedom House, it’s designed to help keep the charity’s operations running. 100% of the profits from the cafe and the attached zero waste shop, My Best Life CNX, help refugees escaping from bordering Shan state in Myanmar, along with minority peoples of Thailand.

Chaing Mai’s first Zero waste store - My Best Life CNX 

Thai Freedom House provide a safe place for their students to create a new community and build their self-confidence, basic language skills, critical thinking skills and creatively express themselves.

Students showing their love. Image by Thai Freedom House.

But Free Bird Cafe’s social good doesn’t end there. They also choose their wonderful staff from the most at-risk population who are served in the learning centre and provide training and support for them in the hospitality industry.

So, whilst we didn’t change the world this morning, we did manage to support a brilliant organisation, and all we had to do was enjoy some delicious grub.