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CHUMREAP SUoR AND WELCOME TO OUR FIRST ENCOUNTER!

If you’re reading this… It means we share a និស្ស័យ (nih-say)—a karmic interconnection from past lives. In Khmer belief, those who cross paths may have once been kin, friends, mentors, or companions in shared good deeds.

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Childhood Curiosity & Royal Tiles

I was born in Siem Reap, where as a child I’d leap over the walls of an abandoned royal residence—once home to King Norodom Sihanouk and host to dignitaries like John F. Kennedy and Charles de Gaulle. I’d collect broken tiles to play with, unaware that this place would one day become the Amansara Hotel.

When you join our [Immersive Cambodian Way of Life: Personal Stories & Village Tours], you’ll hear about my birth village—where my beloved late father served as village chief when I was six. Through me, you’ll meet him. And you’ll learn of a fateful moment:

“A single gunshot by Khmer Rouge soldiers changed the course of my childhood, sending me to Battambang for education. That shift shaped my identity, my values, and my lifelong commitment to storytelling and service.”

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Entrepreneurial Spirit & Street Wisdom

Growing up in Cambodia’s rebuilding years—what some call Year Zero or even Minus Zero—I was a street and market vendor. I helped my entrepreneurial mother run our small family businesses.

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Early Jobs & Acts of Care

My first official job was washing dishes and serving meals in a school cafeteria. Later, I interpreted for foreign artists alongside marginalized youth, toured Cambodia to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and dengue, and used my stipend to help student performers find second-hand circus training clothes.

These moments taught me about travel, culture, and deep human connection.

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From Hospitality to Culture

I’ve worked in airports, airlines, hotels, and major events—eventually leading a team of 120 in a social enterprise rooted in arts and culture. These experiences revealed:

• What is possible
• What is broken
• What Cambodia does beautifully
• And what we can improve—together, in solidarity

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Championing Cambodia on World Stages

for over two decades, i have worked on the “cambodia” brand. the last 12, I led phare performing social enterprise better known as Phare Circus and Phare Creative Studio—cultural enterprises built on empowerment and transformation. I’ve traveled across continents, championing Cambodian pride on world stages. Sometimes with artists performing, sometimes as the performer myself—speaking on:

• Cambodian lived experiences
• Social and solidarity economy
• Culture and creative industries
• Contemporary performing arts
• personal and caREER DEVELOPMENT IN A SPECIAL TOUCH ON PERSONAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT
• Youth resilience and community development

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Trials, Burnout & Awakening

Resilience was forged early. As a child vendor, I missed out on simple joys like play. Survival came first. Still, I’m grateful my parents gave me access to public school and low-cost French classes—planting seeds for my career in travel.

Then came COVID-19. To keep Phare alive, we cut salaries—down to zero for some. The burden was heavy, but community support sustained us. Eventually, every salary was restored with dignity.

In 2024, even as Phare thrived, I hit a wall: a major burnout. Years of emotional strain and buried trauma resurfaced. The crisis amplified what had long gone unspoken.

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Finding My Center

Today, I’m healing—through counseling, meditation, and reflection. I’ve stepped away from formal roles to rest, renew, and realign.

I deeply appreciate Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka, in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.

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The Birth of Daraism&Artists

This healing journey gave birth to Daraism&Artists—co-created with my life partner and a dedicated team of artists and professionals. Infused with Cambodianess, we honor our lived experiences and shared learnings—so that we may all learn, exchange, heal, strive, and rise together.

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Let’s Connect

I, along with the Daraism&Artists team, would love to get to know you and hear your story.

📧 dara@daraismandartists.org 📱 Telegram https://t.me/DaraismArtistsEncounter 📞 +855 15 662 314