Our Office
51 W Monroe St
Franklin, IN 46131
(317) 494-6226
9:00 am – 5:00pm
Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 5:00pm
Monday – Friday
Our Boutique
51 W Monroe St
Franklin, IN 46131
(317) 494-6226
10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday – Saturday
10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday – Saturday
Introducing the new Green Mango Cafe & Bakery and Culinary Training Center!
Sokhom’s Story
Sokhom’s* Story, an Imprint student (2017-2018).
Sokhom was born in a family with four children – all girls. Sokhom is the third daughter in her family. Her dad is a moto-taxi driver and construction worker; her mother is a factory worker. When Sokhom was 13 years old, in order to earn money to support her family, she went to work at a karaoke club where men go to drink, sing and be entertained by the hostesses. It was there that she was rescued by one of CGI’s partner organizations. Once rescued, she was encouraged to learn a vocation. She had always dreamed to be a tailor like her mother, so she chose to learn sewing. She enrolled in the Imprint Project program for one year to learn how to sew and take general education and life skills classes. She was very excited to get the chance to learn sewing with Center for Global Impact (CGI).
She worked hard toward her goal of becoming a tailor. There were many obstacles during her year, such as forgetting lessons, missing some classes due to her family’s needs and not having transportation to come to class. However, she never gave up on her studies. She was one of the smartest students in the sewing class. Sokhom often used her free time to create her own designs and made clothes for herself and family. After one year, her dream became true! She was able to pass her exams in all classes. She received her graduation certificate, as well as a $400.00 graduation gift from CGI to help her achieve her goal of being a tailor. Sokhom was a proud girl on the day of her graduation ceremony. Her parents came to celebrate her success and her mother was very happy for her.
She collected all the money she had to build a small shop near her house. Sokhom now owns a small tailor shop in her hometown which is about 45 minutes away from the city. However, she was nervous after she left the program because she wasn’t sure she could succeed in her sewing without help from the teachers. She often called the teachers and asked some questions regarding the clothes she was making.
After Sokhom’s shop had been open for about three months, Seiha (former CGI Phnom Penh Operations Director) and Chenda (Imprint Project Team Leader) went to visit Sokhom’s shop to show her their support. She now creates her own designs based on pictures from the internet and makes party dresses for rent. Her customers come to her shop to rent the dresses which cost $10 to rent. Some customers have asked her to make skirts, as well as to alter wedding dresses. She said that she often makes around $10/day income. Sometimes she also sells dresses for $50 (they cost about $25 to make). Sokhom said “I was very happy that I could have my own tailor shop even though it’s not big. I will save the money that I make every day to grow my shop and make more dresses for rent and to sell”. Her mother states that “I never dreamed of seeing her have this skill. We were poor and she did not get to study much. I’m so thankful for CGI who always help the poor, especially my daughter to have this skill”.
*Name and photo have been changed to protect the identity of the Imprint Project graduate. Sokhom is a Cambodian name that means “safe; happy”.
-Story originally submitted by Seiha, former CGI Phnom Penh Operation Director
A Letter From Seiha
It’s been 5 years since I left my wonderful job and stepped out of my comfort zone to serve the Lord by working at CGI. I was excited that I could be a part of changing lives as I have always been passionate about helping women who have been trafficked or treated unfairly. Every day I pray for God’s wisdom, love, and guidance to help me do this job as I know I can’t do it alone. But because of CGI, these women have been brought out of the darkness and into the light. Seeing their transformation is what gives me the strength to continue with this work.
A student recently wrote me, “I grew up in a broken family. My mom was sad and sick until she passed away. Since I was born, I never received love from my father. I hated him! When I first came to CGI, I did not think the teachers could love me because they are not my family. If my dad couldn’t love me, how could the teachers? But I have seen all the teachers truly love me and teach me from their heart. They never gave up on me, even though there were many times I couldn’t remember the lessons.
I can now read and write Khmer and sew beautiful clothes! Most importantly I learned about Jesus who loves me. I learned a verse in the Bible that says, ‘Love your parents’ and I began to pray and ask God to forgive me and help me forgive my dad. Someday I hope I can see my dad again and show him I love him because Jesus loves me first. I am thankful for the teachers at CGI who taught me a skill and about Jesus!”
I’m so grateful for all the supporters who give generously so we can share the love of God with these women. Each day I witness so many lives changing through the work we do here; and that only happens because of you.
Thank you from Cambodia,
Seiha
Sopheak’s Before & After Story
Sopheak Lim is a quiet 19-year-old on the outside. But after a few minutes of listening to her speak, you sense the strong determination she has in her heart to serve God and create a brighter future.
After losing her father to tuberculosis when she was five, she also lost her mother and step-father to HIV four years later. She spent several years being shuffled between other family members in Thailand and Cambodia, and eventually wound up living with her uncle and aunt in Battambang, Cambodia in 2016.
Sopheak is a member of CGI’s current culinary class at the Green Mango Café and Bakery in Battambang. As part of the Culinary Training Center (CTC), Sopheak and seven other girls are learning to cook and bake, as well as how to run a restaurant. Sopheak’s favorite part of the program so far is learning to be a barista. She enjoys making coffee, espresso and especially smoothies. She really enjoys making (and drinking) avocado smoothies.
But more importantly than using the right ingredients in a smoothie, Sopheak and the students are learning about Jesus and His love.
Sopheak had a little knowledge of Jesus before joining the CTC program. But since joining more than a year ago, she has seen first-hand the power of His love. Lim’s younger sister, Vichaka, was part of the CTC program two years ago, and when Vichaka became ill, she needed hospital care. CGI helped take care of her medical needs.
“I really didn’t know much about God and how He works in the world,” explained Sopheak. “But I saw how CGI loved Vichaka and helped take care of her, and I realized this is how loving people live in the world.”
When Sopheak is asked about her favorite Bible story, she quickly points to Mark 2:1-5. With many people crowding around the house where Jesus was preaching, four men lowered a paralyzed man through the roof, so he could be healed by Jesus. Sopheak said she sees herself in the story as the man on the mat, but after he has been healed.
“I now know that I’m a daughter of God,” she explained. “I’ve been healed by Jesus, so I’m better than before.”
Sopheak and her fellow CTC students graduated May 24, 2019 and Sopheak dreams of one day partnering with her sister to open a western-style restaurant in Battambang.
“I want to thank CGI and everyone who has supported us and has helped teach us to cook, and about Jesus’ love,” Sopheak said. “Thanks for making this possible.”
And once she opens her restaurant, be sure to stop in for a smoothie. They will certainly be on the menu!
Help more young women, like Sopheak, have the opportunity to study at the Culinary Training Center.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
Written By: Charlie McAtee
Charlie McAtee is a member of CGI’s Board of Directors. He is a professional communications and public relations expert and is the owner of Charlie McAtee Communications. He lives in New Palestine, Ind. with his wife (Dawn) of nearly 20 years, their two youngest children (Andrew and Audrey), and their dog (Dixie) and cat (Freedom).