The Kindness Collection: Cambodia
KEEPING THE KINDNESS ALIVE…
Kindness comes in many forms but for an artisan community in Siem Reap, Cambodia, SAARTI handmade candles are their guiding light and symbol of hope.
GLOBAL SENSE SAARTI | DESTINATION CAMBODIA | INTERVIEW WITH Beck Scougall (Founder)
YOU ARE AN AUSTRALIAN LIVING IN CAMBODIA MOST OF THE TIME. WHEN DID YOU FIRST TRAVEL TO CAMBODIA AND WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THIS PART OF THE WORLD THAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE A WORK/LIFE STYLE THERE?
I moved to Siem Reap in 2009 after falling madly in love with the place during a visit the previous year. I instantly felt a connection with the land and loved that it was still very rustic and unexplored. My kind of place. The kindness, resilience and beautiful smiles of the Cambodian people warms my soul. It’s such a special place. The vibe is extremely laid back and there is a tight-knit and very eclectic community of artists, free spirits and like-minded people. I’m constantly inspired by Cambodia and it is a fantastic place to live and work.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT OR WHO TOOK YOU TO CAMBODIA IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I grew up in a country town called Woodford in Queensland, Australia. In many ways Siem Reap feels like a small and friendly country town which is probably why I feel so at home there.
It was a trip to south-east Asia that took me to Cambodia. I was immediately struck by how friendly and sincere the Cambodian people were. Tourism was still quite a new concept in Cambodia at that time. The locals had a genuine curiosity to learn as much as possible with visitors which was so refreshing. I was welcomed like family into my new friends’ homes and loved the cultural exchanges that took place.
AS THE FOUNDER OF SAARTI, PLEASE SHARE YOUR VISION WITH US.
My intentions for creating Saarti were and still are to offer beautiful, natural handmade products created in the most ethical and empowering way possible. I set out to create peaceful objects that enhance the lives of both the makers and our customers. We never put profit margins before people and remain proud of the employment opportunities we have created in the local community.
There are many aid organisations in Cambodia but I saw first hand that it was more constructive to help create sustainable employment opportunities for local communities, families and even on an individual level, embrace their traditional skills to help elevate self pride. I also wanted to make a positive contribution to help create a fairer world.
WHAT DOES ‘SAARTI’ MEAN AND WHERE IS SAARTI BASED?
‘Saart’ is the Khmer word for ‘beautiful’ and ‘Aarti’ is a stunning Hindu ritual of fire.
My first Aarti ceremony was on the Ganga River (Ganges) in Rishikesh in India, which is at the base of Himalaya where the Ganga River comes down from the mountains. It was a transformational and spiritual experience that has stayed with me.
The ritual of lighting a candle has always been special to me so I wanted to incorporate all of these elements into our name… Saarti was born. We are based in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
IS EVERYTHING HANDMADE IN CAMBODIA? PLEASE SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCALS AND YOUR ARTISAN TEAM IN SIEM REAP?
All of our candles and perfumes are handmade in Cambodia. We keep things manageable and intimate to ensure that every product is of high quality and infused with artisan pride and kindness.
We work with a talented group of young ceramicists who handcraft all of our beautiful ceramic candle vessels. As a family business their admirable skills have been passed down for generations.
We will often find the director’s grandmother in the workshop, checking that the artisans are maintaining the inherited standard of quality.
Ancient Khmers were famous for their pottery skills but very sadly this tradition is dying… because artists and intellectuals were brutally targeted during the Khmer Rouge genocide.
This history has shown us just how important it is to support local artisans to help preserve their wisdoms and skills before traditions are lost forever.
The Lemongrass oil we use is organically grown and produced in Koh Kong in southern Cambodia, by Fauna & Flora International, an organisation with David Attenborough as the Vice President. We proudly support the work they are doing to protect endangered species in the Cardamom Mountains and love that this project offers a sustainable alternative to hunting and poaching.
IS THERE A DAILY RITUAL IN CAMBODIA THAT YOU RECOMMEND WITH RELATION TO THE SAARTI PRODUCT RANGE?
Absolutely! All houses and businesses in Cambodia have a spirit house, which can be found either inside or outside in many beautiful shapes and sizes. Every morning Cambodians create an offering in their spirit house that is made up with a candle, incense and flowers as a gift for the spirits, to ensure good luck and protection for the day.
I love this little ritual and we do it everyday before our shop opens using one of our silver-toned Blessing Bowl candles. Lighting a candle sounds simple but to us it is a thoughtful ritual as we hold a good intention in our minds when we do. People light candles to relax, pray, meditate and change the energy of a space which makes candles quite a powerful ritualistic tool, especially when infused with well wishes or intentions. I’m a huge believer in the magic of acting with intention.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE CAMBODIAN WAY OF LIFE THAT YOU LOVE MOST?
As a Buddhist country the Khmers have this amazing ability to be present in the moment. If they have enough for today they are grateful and trust that tomorrow will work out ok. They are kind, generous and so quick to share whatever they have. It always amazes me that the people who have the least are always the first to give. I continue to be inspired by the generosity and sincerity of the Cambodian people and love how they always have a smile and a friendly wave for everyone.
TOURIST DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY CURRENT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, WHICH IS A REMINDER OF JUST HOW CRITICAL GLOBAL TOURISM IS FOR CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY. WHAT DOES ‘SLOW TRAVEL’ MEAN TO YOU?
People often overlook the importance of where they spend their money and who they are supporting with their dollars. In a country like Cambodia, supporting ethical and grassroots businesses while travelling can literally transform someone’s life and lift them above the poverty line.
To me, slow travel means doing your research and seeking out businesses that are ethical and genuinely supporting the local economy. An easy way to contribute to indigenous communities is to buy locally-made products and also participate in activities that respect the local people and environment. But avoid anything which involves children and animals, with exceptions to animal refuges and conservation groups, but even then, discernment is advised.
IF A LOCAL COULD SHARE A TRAVEL TIP FOR A FIRST TIME VISIT TO CAMBODIA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Give yourself time to relax and soak up the essence of Cambodia. I’ve met so many people who regret only having three days there because they thought Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples were all the country had to offer. The temples are indeed stunning and awe inspiring but Siem Reap also has world class restaurants, spas, galleries and you can easily spend days wandering around the town on foot, meeting charismatic locals and immersing yourself in the culture. The islands to the south of Cambodia are incredibly beautiful and it is still possible to find a pristine stretch of white sand and azure water all to yourself. Cambodia is more of an experience than a destination and if you allow yourself the time, you will most definitely be rewarded with memories and friendships to cherish forever.