As soon as I finished school in Kompong Chhnang province, I moved to Siem Reap to join my uncle’s pottery workshop. Although my mum also works with ceramics, I didn’t know much about this craft. Thanks to the teachings of Seyhak, I am now able to decorate the pots without even using a stencil. This is one of my favorite tasks here, and I’m also still learning how to use the potter’s wheel.

My uncle welcomed me not only into his workshop, teaching me everything he knows about his craft, but also into his home. I only go back to my village twice a year: for Khmer New Year and Phumben day. Being away from my hometown can be hard at times but working here has given me the opportunity to help my family. As the eldest of five sisters, I send money home to pay for their education.

I am also working on my own education and I recently started attending classes at a makeup artist school in the afternoons, so that I can keep working in the mornings. My dream is to become a makeup artist and open up my own beauty salon in Siem Reap one day.