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In 1997 Simon Wilson* travelled to the Middle East to serve God. With a PhD in soil physics, Karl had little experience in business. However, after partnering with a Dutch businessman, they established a lucrative pot-making company that exported pots to Europe. In the venture, Karl, like the clay, was shaped by God to reach out to the lost. Listen to Simon's story here.

A Cambodian-based T-shirt company is providing training and hope in a bid to make sustainable change. Australian Dave Bryce co-founded the business in 2009 after recognising a lack of support for at -risk teenage boys in Cambodia. Justees is a sustainable, social enterprise, whose core business is to prints t-shirts with justice messages and custom printing orders which are sold in Cambodia and around the world. Dave said the business was launched with $350 investment between himself and Kiwi co-founder Steve Tripp. He said between them they had skills in screen-printing, business and youth work, which laid the foundation for starting the business. “It’s very cheap to start a business here. The place we were renting was only about $50 a month,” he said. Dave said the business started with seven boys from a rehab program, but the early days of the operation weren’t easy. “It was difficult in the first few years because the boys wanted to muck around a lot,” he said. “They didn’t want to work hard or produce quality shirts, so I felt like a bit of cop all the time. But since then, we’ve been able to develop a great work culture.” Dave said the business operated using a BAM model where they were focussed on looking after their staff, while caring for the environment and trying to make a profit. “We use as little chemicals as we possibly can in making the T-shirts. We look after the health of our staff, and we have good conditions with fans and air-conditioners. “They are all paid a fair wage for work.” Dave said the business also had weekly devotions and had a partnered with a local pastor who mentored the boys. He said in devotions they explored ‘rubber hits the road’ issues that were impacting the boys. “A huge part of work is giving the boys work skills and life skills so that they’re equipped to get jobs in the future and to be a good worker for a future employer.” He said the business only operated two days each week and was split into morning and afternoon shifts to support the boys in the schooling. For students who are successful in getting into university, Justees supports them with a half scholarship, with the students paying off the other half through their wages. “The business provides disadvantaged youth with a wage to assist them continuing their schooling, future schooling or university.” Dave said Justees development had been grounded in prayer. “We prayed a lot when we didn’t have orders. But we’ve always been able to make a small profit every year. We’ve never taken donations,” he said. Dave said the business was open to taking orders from Australia for businesses, youth groups or churches. For more information on Justees go to www.justees.org

A story from Bloom Asia When Sreya was 14, she was 'owned' by a brothel. As a child, Sreya was passed from home to home - never knowing the love and safety of a stable family. One day, her aunt, who she was living with at the time, told her that she was too much of a burden and it was time to leave. Sreya felt anxious in her stomach - however, what came next was worse than anything she could have imagined. That night, despite her crying and resisting, her virginity was sold for just $200 to a man in her village. She was then sold to a brothel where she was held captive and brutally exploited for the two years. Over and over, night after night. The abuse was merciless, crushing her body, soul and spirit. "I tried to escape once and they threatened to kill me. I begged them to just do it. The darkness and hopelessness was more than I could bear. Eventually, I was rescued, but the relentless torment didn't stop. The nightmares and flashbacks were just as real." Unfortunately, Sreya's story is not an isolated case. In 2021, there has been a 214-percent increase in the number of human trafficking cases in Cambodia, according to the Cambodian Government. The rescue process is just the start for girls like Sreya. After extensive trauma, the brain stops developing and survivors 'shut down' mentally and emotionally to block out the pain - making it hard to connect with others, focus and learn. However, with love and support, new brain pathways can be built. Over time, Sreya began to open up and connect with her counsellor and teachers at Bloom. Step by step she learnt to read and write and conquered practical skills in her hospitality classes. The night Sreya graduated from Bloom's hospitality training program, she courageously stood up in front of everyone and shared her story. "They told me that all I was good for is pleasing men. They said I was worthless and would never come to anything. And for a long time, I believed it. But today, I'm proud to say they were wrong! I have discovered my true self - a strong and vibrant woman. With the help of my Bloom family, I've found so much healing. My dream for the future is to help other girls. I want them to find the same hope and purpose that I have." Today Sreya has her very own cake shop in her home town. "For a long time, I dreamed of starting my own shop. At first, it was just a fantasy. But when I had the opportunity to manage the Bloom cafe, I saw that I was really good at it. I thought to myself, 'I could really do this!'." "And now I have!" "What brings the most joy is being able to employ five girls from my village. I know that they are all high-risk of being lured by sex traffickers. I love that I can provide them with safe jobs to protect them.: