A Letter From Our Founders
Friends,
We’ve closed out yet another year and we continue to be in awe of God. It has been over 15 years since we first set out for Cambodia, and each and every year He provides more than we could ever imagine. For our team in Cambodia, that provision came in the form of staff and programs that worked incredibly hard to operate despite COVID shutdowns and regulations. For our team in the United States, it came in the form of new opportunities to connect with supporters across the country and around the world — sometimes over Zoom, sometimes in person. For our team in Belize, it was the start of establishing restoration and reintegration programs in the country.
The adaptability and persistence of our team and our supporters reminds us of a passage in Romans. In the New International Version, this section is titled, “Love in Action”:
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:9-13
We see this Love in Action every day at AIM. We see it in our staff, devoting themselves to those they serve. We see it in survivors, finding joy in hope as they pursue true healing and freedom. And we see it in you, our community, clinging to what is good as we work to end the evil of trafficking. We thank you for your consistent and generous spirit as we come together to fight for freedom.
In Hope and Love,
Don and Bridget Brewster,
Co-Founders of AIM
Why we do
what we do
AIM is doing whatever it takes to end the evil of sex trafficking by rescuing, healing, and empowering survivors of trafficking to be free.
We are a Christ-led, non-denominational, not-for-profit organization that exists to glorify God through our dedicated efforts to love, protect, and care for survivors of trafficking as well as other vulnerable and exploited individuals.
Where
We work
AIM in
Cambodia
It has been estimated that 261,000 people in Cambodia live in conditions of modern slavery (Global Slavery Index, 2018). Since 2005, AIM has launched over a dozen programs to combat trafficking in Cambodia. With main programs centered in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, our team is working in the center of highly populated and tourist-friendly areas where trafficking is common. Additionally, our SWAT Team works with the local police in every province throughout Cambodia, making sure
girls are rescued and traffickers are arrested!
AIM in
Belize
A hotspot for trafficking, Belize’s tropical paradise hides a dark and horrendous market for child sex trafficking. 2021 marked the start of AIM in Belize, as we had staff move and begin working on setting up a Restoration Home and reintegration programs to ensure women and girls are never trafficked again. Our team has been hard at work, preparing to welcome and empower survivors!
Cambodia and Belize are on the tier 2 watch list of the Trafficking in Persons Report.
Pillars of AIM
PROTECT
What if a child never had to experience the horrors of trafficking and exploitation?
Through providing community aid, education, mentorship programs, humanitarian relief, and more, AIM works to make this a reality by supporting families and transforming communities.
During the past year, with school closures and large gatherings impossible, our humanitarian aid efforts ramped up to support at-risk families and communities. Whether it’s providing rice for families in need or rebuilding houses that have been destroyed, this kind of preventative work is meant to stop exploitation before it starts.
Update from AIM School Director, Eng Leang:
AIM school teachers have continued to call their students’ families every week. While teaching was hard, they were able to listen, comfort, and support. They shared about students who needed food and medical support and AIM was able to help these families. They also helped families access local government resources during the lockdown. Through them, our students and families know that they are not alone. Our students know if they need help, we are here. Through our staff, God’s love has reached out to these families and is walking beside them.
RESCUE
Freedom starts with rescue.
AIM SWAT works in tandem with local police to rescue victims and arrest traffickers so that trafficking can be stopped in Cambodia. That’s not all! Our legal team walks with survivors through the trial process so that traffickers are put behind bars.
While many countries were shut down and travel was limited over the last two years, trafficking did not stop. AIM SWAT worked harder than ever, helping the local police with cases of abuse,
exploitation and trafficking.
“I have freedom because I was rescued. I bring my experience to transform other children’s lives… That’s why I love this job; because after the girls have been rescued, they need people to stay beside them, encourage them.”
Sophia*, Survivor and Investigator on AIM SWAT
“I have freedom because I was rescued. I bring my experience to transform other children’s lives… That’s why I love this job; because after the girls have been rescued, they need people to stay beside them, encourage them.”
Sophia*, Survivor and Investigator on AIM SWAT
HEAL
With a safe home and unconditional love, healing can begin!
Through the staff at AIM’s Restoration Homes, survivors experience the love of Christ and are supported as they grow into who they were made to be.
In 2021, AIM’s Restoration Homes were challenged by COVID shutdowns around Cambodia. With many people living in one space, extra precautions were taken to limit the potential spread of COVID. When markets and grocery stores were closed, it was difficult for ARH staff to find food for the homes. However, God provided in huge ways and the girls and staff were always fed! Additionally, house moms sacrificed their own time by moving into the homes so they could support the girls through lockdowns.
“For me, I’m really excited to tell [survivors] that they are valued. Whatever happened to their life, they are valued — any time, any where… They have tasted true love and they see that true love can spread in their communities and all of Cambodia.”
Monea, Director of AIM’s Restoration Home
“For me, I’m really excited to tell [survivors] that they are valued. Whatever happened to their life, they are valued — any time, any where… They have tasted true love and they see that true love can spread in their communities and all of Cambodia.”
Monea, Director of AIM’s Restoration Home
EMPOWER
When survivors are empowered, their freedom is secured forever!
At AIM, we do this through vocational training and employment opportunities. Many survivors work with us as artisans at our Employment Center, as teachers at the AIM School, and even as investigators and social workers on our SWAT Team!
Although COVID caused many programs to shut down — including our Employment Center — AIM was able to ensure that ALL staff members were paid throughout 2020 and 2021. Because of the incredible generosity of our supporters, survivors were continuously supported and empowered in many ways. Additionally, these shutdowns created the space for our team to make some much needed renovations to our Employment Center in Svay Pak. These renovations have not only created a more enjoyable work environment, but the additional space provides room for up to 160 women to be employed!
“I have a goal, a mindset to help other girls. My hope was to be free from being trafficked. So my intention is to help other girls. And AIM has taught me and it made me have concrete goals and enabled me to go out and have a decent job.”
Ly Srey Pov, Protected from Trafficking, Real Estate Agent
“I have a goal, a mindset to help other girls. My hope was to be free from being trafficked. So my intention is to help other girls. And AIM has taught me and it made me have concrete goals and enabled me to go out and have a decent job.”
Ly Srey Pov, Protected from Trafficking, Real Estate Agent
A glimpse at
2021
Starting 2021 Off Strong
We began the new year with FREEDOM as 23 women and girls were rescued from the horrors of trafficking in January of 2021! 6 suspected traffickers were arrested and await trial from prison, now unable to harm anyone else. Praise God for these survivors who are now finding healing!
A Call for Strong Community
The challenges that 2020 brought carried over into 2021. On the ground, our team saw this play out through increased vulnerability and financial hardship. That’s why AIM’s humanitarian aid fund is set aside to assist families and individuals in these situations.
AIM Staff Stepping Up
If you were to zero in on the reason we have been able to continue our efforts to end trafficking and bring Christ’s healing and transformative love to the vulnerable, you would see our staff. Despite the challenges the pandemic brought, this has been on display more than ever.
A Home to Grow
Over the last year, our team on the ground secured a house and transformed it into a safe place for girls who have graduated from our Restoration Home to experience independence, while being assisted as they have need. So far, 10 girls have moved into this home!
Where are you from?
We are passionate about ending the evil of trafficking.
In the coming years, we look forward to continuing our work in Cambodia and Belize, while looking to address issues such as the grip and popularity of porn and how it fuels trafficking and the vulnerability of foster kids in the United States.
As we prayerfully consider where and how AIM grows, we are constantly grateful for your support. No one person, organization, or
group can fight trafficking alone. It takes all of us coming together to do whatever it takes to defeat this evil.
“We will never forget the AIM family and the family of Christ around the world that prayed and joined us in action from the start until now. They are the angels who God called to join us in this fight and are a blessing to us and our family too.”
Ratanak Seth, Co-Director of Community Outreach
Where our AIM supporters are worldwide:
AMERICAN SAMOA
ARGENTINA
ARMENIA
ARUBA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
BANGLADESH
BELGIUM
BERMUDA
BRAZIL
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
CAMBODIA
CANADA
CHILE
CHINA
COTE D’IVOIRE
CROATIA
CYPRUS
CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK
ECUADOR
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
GUERNSEY
HONG KONG
HONG KONG SAR
HUNGARY
INDIA
INDONESIA
IRELAND
ISRAEL
ITALY
JAMAICA
JAPAN
KENYA
KUWAIT
LATVIA
LUXEMBOURG
MALAYSIA
MALTA
MEXICO
NAMIBIA
NETHERLANDS
NEW ZEALAND
NIGERIA
NORTHERN IRELAND
NORWAY
OMAN
PANAMA
PARAGUAY
PHILIPPINES
POLAND
PORTUGAL
PUERTO RICO
QATAR
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
ROMANIA
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
SINGAPORE
SLOVAKIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH KOREA
SPAIN
SWAZILAND
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND
TAIWAN
THAILAND
THE BAHAMAS
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
TURKEY
UKRAINE
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UNITED KINGDOM
UNITED STATES
U.S. MINOR OUTLYING ISLANDS
VIETNAM
Where are you from?
We are passionate about ending the evil of trafficking.
In the coming years, we look forward to continuing our work in Cambodia and Belize, while looking to address issues such as the grip and popularity of porn and how it fuels trafficking and the vulnerability of foster kids in the United States.
As we prayerfully consider where and how AIM grows, we are constantly grateful for your support. No one person, organization, or
group can fight trafficking alone. It takes all of us coming together to do whatever it takes to defeat this evil.
“We will never forget the AIM family and the family of Christ around the world that prayed and joined us in action from the start until now. They are the angels who God called to join us in this fight and are a blessing to us and our family too.”
Ratanak Seth, Co-Director of Community Outreach
Where our AIM supporters are worldwide:
