Hello AIM Family!
It feels really crazy to be writing to you as the CEO of AIM. This organization has held a special place in my heart for over 15 years and I am so honored to be in this position. When I first moved to Cambodia in 2006, AIM was just getting started. We only had a few staff on the ground. Our work was small but mighty. As God used AIM to fight trafficking, we grew and grew, but only under His timing and His plan. Now, in 2022, I am blown away to see how He is still working through our team – which has now grown to around 375 people on the ground in Cambodia (and more in the US and Belize)!
“He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.”
Colossians 1:17 NIV
Every victory we celebrate, every time we see a girl rescued or healed or empowered, we are reminded that this isn’t a story about you or me and what we’ve done. It’s a God story. It’s about what HE has done. But, man, I am so grateful for each and every one of you that comes along with us on this journey. Isn’t it incredible to be a part of this GOD STORY? To be a part of the transformation and growth that is happening in lives and communities? So, thank you for being with us.
As we look to the years to come, I am prayerful and hopeful that He has even more in store for AIM, for the fight against trafficking, and for the girls who are being restored each and every day!
Here’s to 2023!
Clayton Butler,
AIM CEO
Dear Friends,
WOW! Another year has come to a close and, as always, we are in awe of the work God has done through AIM with the support of people like you. Just like years past, we have seen transformation, healing, and hope abound in the communities where we work. This year, in particular, we celebrated great victories like the SWAT Team assisting local police in arresting their 500th trafficker since we began working together in 2014! You’ll have to read on for more of the incredible stories from 2022.
This year, we were proud to welcome our long-time friend, Clayton Butler as CEO. Clay was the first volunteer to come to Cambodia and he ended up sticking around for a while! Over the last decade (or more!) he has worked with us in Cambodia, the US, and served on our board with his wife, Emily. As Clayton stepped into his new role, Emily also joined our team as the Director of Strategic Initiatives. AIM is doubly blessed by the skills, passion, and love for Christ the Butlers bring to our team. The way these two have given their lives in service to Christ is admirable, to say the least. We are so grateful that serving Christ just so happens to be with AIM.
As we get ready for 2023, we want to say a huge thank you to all of those who have supported us, prayed for us, and fought for freedom with us. The last few years haven’t been easy, but this incredible family has made all the difference. Without you – donors, prayer warriors, staff, volunteers, and advocates – we wouldn’t be able to continue in this fight. Thank you!
In Hope and Love,
Don and Bridget Brewster
AIM Founders
Who we are
For over 18 years, AIM has been fighting trafficking through a holistic approach of rescuing, healing, and empowering survivors, and preventing sexual slavery. We exist to glorify God through our dedicated efforts to love, protect, and care for survivors of trafficking as well as other vulnerable and exploited individuals. AIM seeks to meet survivors’ spiritual, emotional, social, educational, and physical needs. Our intention is that they may come to know their worth and value in Christ, develop a dependence on Him, and develop skills for a sustainable life.
Where
We work
In 2022, we focused on fully reopening our programs in Cambodia. We proudly welcomed Khmer leaders as directors of our Heal and Empower pillars, as well as our Finance team on the ground in Cambodia. From the beginning of AIM, we have sought to equip our Khmer colleagues to lead in-country operations and it has been amazing to see these transitions take place! Through these leaders and our staff in Cambodia, the love of Christ is being shared with communities and trafficking is being defeated, one life at a time.
As we continue to serve communities in Cambodia, our hope is that the relentless love of Christ will continue to transform hearts and lives. We are always learning and adapting our approach to fighting sex trafficking based on the changes we see in the industry and the areas we serve. We will continue to build our capacity to rescue and restore more survivors. We are hopeful that God’s work through AIM in Cambodia will produce a generation of disciples that are passionate about spreading the Gospel and breaking the cycle of exploitation.
This year, we had the pleasure of partnering with local organizations to train and equip 19 professionals to fight trafficking in Belize. Through this training, the staff has learned how to love and care for survivors who’ve experienced various levels of trauma. We helped open a restoration home in partnership with Child Development Foundation (CDF) and welcomed its first residents! Thank you to all who have supported, prayed, and encouraged our team on this journey!
As we move forward in Belize, we are excited for what God has in store for AIM and for survivors of trafficking. We will continue to seek out partnerships with those who are already doing great work while establishing our own programs to meet the needs of those in this community. We are learning how Belize is a unique country with unique needs and we are proceeding with open hands to what God has for us there. One thing that will remain the same is the relentless love of Christ. This love will defeat trafficking in Belize, just as we have seen it work in Cambodia.
Rescue is the first step to freedom for survivors of trafficking. AIM SWAT has been working with local police since 2014 to investigate cases, arrest traffickers, and rescue victims of trafficking. In addition to this, our legal team and social workers support survivors through their rescue to seek justice and closure.
In 2022
This year, AIM SWAT assisted local police in multiple coordinated raid efforts. During one particular raid in August, multiple guest houses and a KTV were shut down for facilitating the sale of women and girls. In the process, 5 minors and 11 adults were rescued! The KTV owner and manager were arrested, along with the owner of the guesthouse.
“We maintain a strong partnership with the Cambodian Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Police (AHTJPP) and have supported them with many successful child sexual trafficking cases. The AHTJPP Have many talented and dedicated officers fighting against trafficking and we are proud to be able to support them.”
– Eric Meldrum, Director of Rescue
Healing is necessary for survivors to truly thrive. Spiritual, emotional, and physical healing is provided to survivors through our Restoration and Transitional Homes. No matter what, our social workers and aftercare team are available to them. When women and girls are given this chance to heal, they can embrace their freedom more fully and experience life to the fullest!
In 2022
Many stories of transformation and healing take years to fully unfold. One young woman, for example, came to AIM’s Restoration Home (ARH) in May of 2019 after being trafficked. While living at ARH, she experienced the unconditional love of Christ and was able to walk through healing with our staff. As she grew, it was time to take a step into her freedom and move to our Transitional Home in September of 2021. At the Transitional Home, she was able to learn more about living on her own, working at a safe job, and building a healthy community. So, in September of 2022, she was ready to fully embrace her freedom! She moved out on her own and is currently working at an amazing bakery in Phnom Penh. While AIM staff and social workers will always be there to support her, this young woman is a testament to how healing is possible!
“God’s love is so great that any broken heart can be healed.”
– Heidi Simmons, AIM Belize
At AIM, we believe that equipping survivors for their life of freedom is just as important as the rescue and healing. Without this support, survivors are at a higher risk of being pulled back to a life of exploitation. We provide vocational training, life skills training, discipleship, and (when necessary) employment to mitigate this risk.
In 2022
AIM’s Employment Center (AEC) not only provides employment, but it equips and empowers women to pursue their dreams! This was particularly showcased this year when an employee resigned from AEC to pursue a career as a mechanic. Starting at AEC in November of 2019, this woman was being protected from exploitation through sustainable employment. She worked in our jewelry room making bracelets and necklaces. As she built confidence in her work and found her skills as a mechanic, she decided that she wanted to start her own business! Now, she runs her own mechanic business, fixing kitchen and other small appliances around the community.
“I have seen so many women who have grown to be more confident, reliable, and helpful to other women.”
– Thearos Sou, Director of Equipping
It is possible to stop trafficking before it starts. Through our prevention programs, our team is working to end the cycle of exploitation by confronting demand and protecting the vulnerable. As the love of Christ penetrates a community, it is changed from one full of darkness to one that is full of hope and light!
In 2022
AIM’s programs work closely together to prevent trafficking and exploitation by spreading the Gospel. This is clearly seen in the relationship between the AIM School and Rahab’s House Church. As social workers from the school visit students at home, they make sure the students are well taken care of and they share the Gospel with their families! One family, in particular, has been with the AIM School for 4 years. The mother is a widow with three children. When AIM School staff saw they were in particular need, they requested rice from the Church to help them. Additionally, they continually asked the mother to come to church. Finally, in 2022, she accepted their invitation and started attending the church services at Rahab’s House Church. Her life has been absolutely transformed! Just a few months later, she was baptized with 23 other church members. Praise God!
“15 years ago, the Svay Pak area was the most dangerous area in Cambodia… we had a lot of human trafficking here… That’s why we started a church – to change this community. After 15 years, we can say this is an area of safety.”
– Pastor Vichet, Rahab’s House Church
2022 Highlights
2022 By the Numbers
AIM currently serves Cambodia through over 10 programs across our four pillars.
Protect
We work to protect the vulnerable and prevent exploitation through education, discipleship, and humanitarian aid.
70+
young adults were disciples at Rahab’s House Church
~250
people attended Rahab’s House Church each Sunday
25+
people were baptized this year
Rescue
Not only does our team work to rescue victims of trafficking, but we pursue justice for survivors!
100+
rescued and assisted by AIM SWAT
25+
arrested by authorities with the help of AIM SWAT
Heal
Our Restoration and Transitional Homes provide support for survivors at all stages of life – from childhood to adolescence, into adulthood. Women and girls can find support and care with house moms, social workers, and counselors!
Empower
AIM’s Employment Center is where AIM Apparel and Custom products are created! Survivors and those at risk learn to sew, screen print, make jewelry, and more. All while being protected from trafficking!
~100
trainees at AIM’s Employment Center in 2022
18,456
pieces of apparel were sewn at AIM’s Employment Center
Our Community
90+
churches gave to AIM in 2022
150+
businesses, Foundations and Organizations gave to AIM in 2022
730
AIM Apparel customers
VOLUNTEERS
32
volunteers in the United States
8
volunteers in Cambodia
staff
30
people on staff in the United States
375
people on staff in Cambodia
3
people on staff in Belize
The Pulse, our monthly giving community, is the heartbeat of AIM that drives our mission to end trafficking one life at a time through their ongoing support.
1300+
Pulse members
in 12+
countries
$2,000,000+
was given by our pulse community in 2022
“When I learned that there were PEOPLE being stripped of their dignity, god planted a passion in my heart…”
laundry jung, pulse Member since 2020
Around the World
We couldn’t do this work without people like you, around the world, coming together to fight against the evil of trafficking! Together, we are making an impact in the lives of those rescued and protected from trafficking. Thank you!
Where our AIM supporters are worldwide:
= AIM Pulse Member Locations
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
Isle of Man
Isreal
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
