byTavi: Center for Global Impact, Cambodia

When I was in Cambodia this past summer, I was able to visit the workshop of byTavi outside Phnom Penh.  It was really fun for me to be there and to meet Tavi, since I had attended a trunk show of byTavi products and have since worn an ID card holder made by one of these women everyday at work.  Rather than putting it in my own words, I’ll share the Center for Global Impact‘s description of this successful project:

A faith-based micro-enterprise initiative of Center for Global Impact (CGI), byTavi teaches at-risk, impoverished women how to sew handbags and other accessories. Employed by CGI, the women receive fair wages while their products are marketed internationally.
Through this program these women have grown in confidence and joy as they provide for their families in a healthy way. In addition to learning marketable skills, these women are also surrounded by the love of Christ through CGI’s trusted Cambodian Management Team and other international partners.
Founded in 2009 by CGI’s president Chris Alexander and a meek woman by the name of Tavi, this program provides a unique opportunity to empower the poor and prevent human trafficking.

Please click over to the above links to learn more about what Center for Global Impact is doing in Cambodia to help women succeed.  Here are some photos from the byTavi workshop.  Enjoy!

Here are the elephant purses in the works.

This is Tavi (for whom the project is named) working in the workshop.

Bags ready to go to the U.S.

A bonus of being onsite was that I got to give a custom order! This is my rice bag in the making by Nary.