If You’re Reading This...

It means we have a និស្ស័យ (nihsay)—our past interconnections from previous lives. It’s believed that individuals who share a និស្ស័យ may have interacted in former existences—through kinship, friendship, mentorship, or shared good deeds

Meet Your Host & Our Team

Childhood Curiosity & Royal Tiles

[ PHOTO/GRAPHIC: An evocative image of old Siem Reap, perhaps a child's hand holding a piece of pottery, or a subtle graphic depicting old tiles. ]

I was born in Siem Reap where, as a child, I used to jump over the walls to find broken tiles to play with. These were from the abandoned Royal Residence of King Norodom Sihanouk, which once hosted world dignitaries including John F. Kennedy and President Charles de Gaulle—and now, it’s The Amansara Hotel.

When you join my [Link to: Immersive Cambodian Way of Life, Personal Stories Village Tours], you will listen to a story about my birth village, where my beloved late father was the village chief when I was six years young. You will get to know him through me and learn about a fateful event that deeply shaped my life.

"A single gunshot by Khmer Rouge soldiers changed the course of my growing-up experience, redirecting my path toward an education in Battambang city. This shift profoundly informs how my career, identity, and values have unfolded—and how I choose to serve, lead, and tell Cambodia’s story today."

Entrepreneurial Spirit & Street Wisdom

[ PHOTO: A vibrant photo of a bustling Cambodian market, or a conceptual image of children playing/working in a historical setting. ]

Growing up in the rebuilding years of Cambodia—from, for some, Year Zero or even minus Zero—I was a street and market vendor during my childhood and teenage years.

I helped my entrepreneurial mother with our small family businesses, ranging from:

• Novel rental: A unique one-copy-only model.

• Producing soft drinks: Including Coca-Cola & Sprite, even branded so!

Early Jobs & Acts of Care

[ PHOTO: A collage or series of small images: a school cafeteria, people working together, a community gathering, a circus training scene. ]

My first official job was dishwashing and serving meals in a school cafeteria… followed by:

• Interpreting for foreign artists alongside marginalized youth.

• Touring Cambodia to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and dengue fever.

• Using my stipend to help student performers find second-hand clothing for circus training.

These moments shaped me profoundly—through travel, culture, and deep human connections.

From Hospitality to Culture

[ PHOTO: A dynamic photo representing a large team or a professional event, perhaps subtly showing a mix of hospitality and cultural elements. ]

I’ve served in airports, airlines, hotels, and major events—eventually leading a team of 120 in a respected social enterprise rooted in arts and culture, closely linked to tourism and the international performing arts landscape.

These experiences revealed:

• What is possible

• What is broken

• What Cambodia does beautifully

• And what we can all improve together—in solidarity

Championing Cambodia on World Stages

[ PHOTO: You on stage speaking, or a vibrant photo of a Phare Circus performance. Perhaps a subtle world map graphic. ]

For 12 years, I led 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 about:

• Cambodian experiences

• Social & Solidarity Economy

• Culture & Creative Industries

• Contemporary performing arts

• Human development

Trials, Burnout & Awakening

[ PHOTO/GRAPHIC: A more introspective or symbolic image: a path through a forest, a single beam of light, or a subtle image of resilience. ]

My resilience was forged early—growing up as a vendor, I missed out on simple joys like play. Survival always came first. Still, I’m grateful my parents afforded me public school education and low-cost French classes, planting seeds for my career in travel. For 25 years, my horizons expanded.

Then came the COVID-19 crisis—an existential threat. To keep Phare alive:

• We cut salaries—down to zero for many.

• Executives accepted 10% or less.

• The burden was heavy, but community support sustained us.

• Later, every salary was restored with dignity.

In 2024, even as Phare thrived again, 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

[ PHOTO: A serene image of meditation, a calm natural setting (e.g., a lotus flower, a tranquil lake). ]

Today, I’m healing—through:

• Meditation and reflection.

• The compassion of loved ones.

• Practicing Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka, in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin.

I’ve stepped away from my formal role, allowing space to rest, renew, and realign.

The Birth of Daraism&Artists

[ PHOTO: Your Daraism&Artists logo. A photo of you with your life partner and/or other artists/team members, emphasizing collaboration. ]

This healing journey gave birth to Daraism&Artists—co-created with my life partner and our dedicated team of fellow artists and qualified professionals.

Together, infused with Cambodianess, we honor our lived experiences and shared learnings—so that we may all:

• Learn

• Exchange

• Heal

• Strive

• And rise together

Let’s Connect!

[ PHOTO: A warm, inviting photo of Dara, perhaps smiling directly at the camera. ]

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

[ ICON: Email Icon ] Email: dara@daraismandartists.org

[ ICON: Telegram Icon ] Telegram: @DaraismArtistsEncounter (Replace with actual Telegram link if available)