OUR VISION
We hope and pray for a future in which those we serve experience the freedom, dignity and fullness of life that comes when we enter into relationship with Jesus Christ.
EIN: 26-3359068
Our Office
51 W Monroe St
Franklin, IN 46131
(317) 494-6226
Monday – Friday:
Monday – Friday:
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
BYTAVI Boutique
51 W Monroe St
Franklin, IN 46131
(317) 494-6226
Tuesday & Wednesday:
Tuesday & Wednesday:
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thursday – Saturday:
Thursday – Saturday:
10:30 am – 5:00 pm
The Imprint Project: The Experience of Growth
What’s one word that you would use to describe the women in the Imprint Project?
“I would use the word “growing” because I see them growing from a girl who is young, immature, and know nothing about the sewing skill and now they are mature and care about their future and family.”
–Seiha, CGI Co-Director of Phnom Penh Operations
Growth.
A term rarely used or even thought about when someone’s life has been placed in a horrible situation. The only thought that may run through their mind is: “doing what I have to do to survive and provide”. We have recognized that women in Cambodia don’t have many opportunities to grow in a certain skill that can raise them above poverty. This is why we chose to create the Imprint Project.
With their experience in the Imprint project, our goal is to provide:
LIFE SKILLS
teaching practical habits for a healthy lifestyle and vital skills for generating a stable income.
HOLISTIC APPROACH
social worker stays involved with each student as well as the student’s entire family
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Spiritual formation and Bible studies are an integral part
“When they first started the project a year ago they were girls, now they have matured in many ways and are becoming adults.”
–Alan, CGI Cambodia
Stay tuned for an update on the next incoming class! We are excited to share their stories with you.
Achieving a Future: Nathan’s Update from Cambodia
Greetings from Battambang, Cambodia! I’m about halfway through my two weeks here in Cambodia and it has been a great trip thus far. Today was especially incredible as I was able to see and take part in the Culinary Training Center (CTC) graduation ceremony.
Eight girls graduated and many of their family and relatives were in attendance. Several of the girls were overwhelmed with emotion upon receiving their certificate. I must admit that I was too as I watched and listened and imagined what the girls must be feeling with achieving this accomplishment.
I am delighted to say the mission of CGI has been fulfilled! It was a beautiful culmination of 18 months of hard work, effort and energy. We have been able to empower these young girls with skills and two of them have already found good paying jobs as chefs for another ministry (YWAM) cooking for 100+ people every day. We have protected these vulnerable girls from what could have been a very unhealthy and dangerous future. And best of all, we have shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with them as they have learned about a God who loves them – AND, their parents and relatives have now heard the Good News too!
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14)
The girls cooked a bunch of food and everyone – family and friends included – had lots to eat after the ceremony. At one point during lunch I told Paul that I think this is the abundant life that Jesus promises us in John 10:10. It was a day that I wished I could bottle up and give to our supporters, church partners, volunteers, staff, board members, or anyone…to show them what God is doing through CGI in this beautiful country and the difference their support is truly making in the world.
A new class of 12 new girls has started and, Lord willing, they too will be empowered and protected…but most importantly they will hear the Good News of Jesus and experience His love like the students who have gone before them.
This day has left me feeling humbled and blessed.
-Nathan
Learn more about Center for Global Impact’s: CTC!
“Warehouse Angel”
Warehouse Angel.
If I had a nickname for all of our advocates, Sara’s would be that. Sara has been serving CGI since the Fall of 2012. She came with a friend, and they would spend hours together in the warehouse organizing and re-organizing to support the CGI staff and the women in Cambodia.
We cannot tell you how many hours she’s invested, but her behind-the-scenes work sets a stable foundation for other advocates and staff members to take the products into the community. Sara says it best, “It is a fun volunteering job, but more than that, it is so meaningful to aid the ladies and girls who sew the beautiful products! You will be part of the process in getting the items sold in order to make drastic life changes in these ladies’ and girls’ lives. They not only receive training, education, salary, etc., but they hear about Jesus Christ!”
I love her greater vision. She knows what she enjoys doing, and it melds perfectly with the needs of the CGI warehouse. “I worked in clothing stores as a clerk while in high school and college,” she says. “They were such fun jobs, so I always looked forward to going to work. It is the same for me to go to CGI! It is great to see what has just arrived from Cambodia, plus I can see my effort when I am done with the unpacking, tagging and hanging. It is very satisfying to know that I have helped in my way to empower the poor.”
It’s women like Sara that make CGI’s work in Cambodia not only possible, but successful. Lives are being changed by the hours that she spends every week. CGI and the women in Cambodia are blessed by Sara. Thank you!
Interested in getting involved? Contact Lindsey, byTavi Advocate Coordinator, at lindsey@centerforglobalimpact.org
The Heart of an Advocate
Volunteer doesn’t accurately describe those that choose to serve CGI without expecting anything in return.
Advocate may be a better word when you think about how their hours spent truly impact the ladies in Cambodia who are trying to make a better life for themselves.
Today we want to thank one of those advocates, Tonja Talley. She has been an advocate for CGI for four years now, and has spent countless evenings and weekends selling byTavi products and sharing the stories of the ladies in Cambodia. She, like all of our advocates, continues to give a voice to the women in Cambodia and a market to sell their creations so they can keep their children healthy, protected, and educated.
So why does she choose to do what she does? Hear from Tonja’s heart:
What keeps you volunteering with CGI?
Jesus Christ and His teachings. The Holy Spirit continues to show me where there is injustice, one must stand against it. Where there is suffering, one must be the hands and feet of our Lord. Where there is opportunity for good, one must seize it. As go our words, so must our actions.
What’s your favorite part about volunteering with CGI?
Gathering in fellowship to assist others gives me great joy. Whether telling the story of Tavi at a byTavi event, handing out food samples at the convention center from the Green Mango Cafe & Bakery menu, or teaching teenagers to model the Imprint Collection, I rejoice in how the CGI mission seeks to empower ladies of all ages in Cambodia, and yet the mission is also empowering women here in the United States.
Thank you, Tonja, and all of our byTavi Advocates. Please know that you are truly making a difference and CGI is blessed to have you as part of the team!
Interested in getting involved? Contact Lindsey, byTavi Advocate Coordinator, at lindsey@centerforglobalimpact.org