From a rural village in Lampung, Sumatra, emerged WayKan Coffee, a brand that carries not only the flavour of its land but also the resilience of its people. More than just coffee, it is a story of women’s empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and community growth.
In Gunung Katun village, Way Kanan Regency, four hours by land from Lampung’s capital, Bandar Lampung, farmers are weaving a new narrative. With passion and determination, they are transforming their province’s rich agricultural heritage into a source of pride and progress.
“They are a farming community who have planted coffee alongside rubber and other crops. Like many other agricultural communities produce was sold to middle men at low prices so we wanted to offer alternatives by building on their existing skills. We asked ourselves: what can we do to
improve their lives? The most realistic answer was coffee. The community already had robusta coffee, cultivated for generations, but it needed a lot of improvement,” explained Mia Soenen, who leads the team in Lampung.
Motivated to improve their livelihoods, the farmers joined a two-year training program through the Farmer Field School. Here, they were introduced to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): pruning and grafting to extend tree life, producing and applying organic fertiliser, improving harvesting methods, and enhancing post-harvest handling of green beans. Their commitment soon drew the attention of a local company whose CSR initiative helped support their efforts.
To add value, the women of the village stepped in. “They said they could roast the coffee, so we supported them in refining that process. We taught them how to sort the beans, grind them, and package them. They underwent a year-long training program. What began as a simple suggestion soon opened the door to new opportunities, empowering women to play a vital role in shaping the future of WayKan Coffee, a sincere product at a fair price, now cherished by coffee lovers across Indonesia and Europe. But because the village is so remote, we still need to build a stronger sales network,” Soenen added.
WayKan Coffee was born through a series of Focus Group Discussions with villagers, guided by the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach. This method highlights the community’s existing strengths: its people, skills, and natural resources, unlocking the potential for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity. At the heart of this movement is the Belida community, where women lead the way. Many sought to improve their household incomes through Lampung’s main commodity, i.e. coffee.
The Belida community’s success has earned deep respect across the village. What began as small steps of empowerment has now grown into a thriving UMKM (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise), entirely managed by women. Their achievement stands as a powerful example of local leadership and a symbol of the rising creative economy.
Lampung has long been renowned for the quality of its robusta coffee, but according to Soenen, the community’s land also produces liberica, an uncommon variety in Indonesia. This rare bean, with its distinctive flavour profile, offers WayKan Coffee the chance to differentiate itself in both domestic and international markets, further elevating Lampung’s coffee heritage.
Today, WayKan Coffee proudly offers a variety of distinctive flavours. Its Robusta is bold and full-bodied, perfect for those who enjoy a strong, energising cup. The rare Liberica, with its fruity notes, low acidity, and naturally low caffeine, is prized for its unique taste and aroma. Completing the line is the House Blend, a signature creation that combines select beans to deliver a smooth and balanced flavour profile. House Blend will make their debut this November at Christmas retail markets, marking an exciting new chapter for the community as they bring the spirit of Lampung’s highlands to coffee lovers near and far.
As part of its sales expansion, WayKan Coffee is stepping up its presence in regional markets and various bazaars, particularly Jakarta and Bali (Green Habit Bali, Alive Whole Food Bali, and Satvika Bhoga).
For Jakarta residents eager to savour this coffee, born from the resilience of a women-led community, orders can be placed directly through a WayKan Coffee agent at +62 811850401, with convenient home delivery available. Customers can also shop online via Shopee.
For those who want to experience the story of WayKan Coffee in person, the team will be present at several festive events this November. Visit the Local Indonesia Market (7-9 November in Kuningan), the ANZA Christmas Market (14-15 November at the American Club House), and the Die Brücke Christmas Market (29 November at Hotel Borobudur). Each event is a chance to taste the coffee, meet the people behind the brand, and take home a product that represents empowerment, sustainability, and the rich heritage of Lampung.
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