Childhood Curiosity & Royal Tiles

I was born in Siem Reap in the 1980S, where my childhood unfolded in the shadows of history.

As a boy, I’d leap over the crumbling walls of an abandoned royal residence—once home to King Norodom Sihanouk, and said to have hosted dignitaries like John F. Kennedy and Charles de Gaulle. I’d gather broken tiles like treasures, unaware that this quiet ruin would one day be reborn as 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 AND HEAD COMMITTEE OF WAT PREAH EN KOSAR PAGODA 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 UPBRINING EXPERIENCE, my values, and my lifelong commitment to storytelling and service.”

Entrepreneurial Spirit & Street Wisdom

I grew up in Cambodia’s rebuilding years—what some call Year Zero, or even Minus Zero.

As a child, I was a vendor in the streets and markets of Siem Reap, helping my entrepreneurial mother run our small family businesses. Most were flower stalls—chosen with intention. A devoted Buddhist since the age of ten, my mother practiced the Five Precepts with unwavering discipline. She chose livelihoods that honored life, never harming other beings.

Her marriage to my late father was a healing union. He had lost his first wife to starvation and had delivered a child alone during those dark years. At the time, he had two children with him—and one still missing.

Miraculously, their marriage became a balm for my mother’s grief—a bridge between loss and renewal.
With wit and strength, she raised five of us. And then, one day, the sixth was found.

My half-sister—given away as a baby to a doctor’s family in the hope she might survive, because there was no milk to feed her. A daughter from another mother, yet always my mother’s child in spirit. After years of separation, we were reunited.

My mother named her Samnang, meaning blessing or good fortune.
Coincidentally, one of Phare Circus’ most poignant performances, Ponleu Samnang, tells tales inspired by her lived experiences—a tribute to resilience, reunion, and the light that emerges from darkness.

all our names are given by my beloved mother. they are: sophy, rady, samnang, sopheap, dara and mony.

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.

I’ve served 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

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
• Cultural and creative industries
• Contemporary performing arts
• personal and CAREER DEVELOPMENT with A SPECIAL TOUCH ON PERSONAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT
• leadership and entrepreneurship
• Youth resilience and community development

Trials, Burnout & Awakening

my 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.

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.

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.

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

if the stars are aligned and we get to be engaged and our path involves appreciating and learning about and from the heritage sites…

Heritage Site Encounters: The Daraism & Artists Way

We do not offer conventional temple tours.

the Daraism & Artists philosophy begins with a guided introduction and a recommended path of visit—shared before we arrive or before we take our first step into the sacred grounds. Just as one prepares to journey into the world of angels and gods, we prepare with intention.

Our visit unfolds in silence, in respect, and in meditative slow walks—as if we are in quiet dialogue with the figures, carvings, and spirits we engage with.

At the end of our visit, we gather—perhaps under a tree or at a vendor’s table—with fresh coconut juice in hand. We debrief together, sharing our reflections, emotions, and connections.

for deeper insights into the sites, recommend to engage another tour guide that we work with. this ensure you get the best benefits out of the experience.

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