HOR Sounsrors has all the qualities of a creative and passionate entrepreneur. She is behind the Rokhak project, a company making objects and accessories from water hyacinths, which has enabled some 15 Cambodian women living on the shores of the Tonlé Sap lake to become financially independent.
The story of a great initiative:
It's with a big Cambodian smile that the bubbly Sounsrors regularly shows off the elegant, beautifully braided bags, boxes and other small accessories on her stand at numerous exhibitions and craft fairs.
Early on
Rokhak - translated as “plants” in the Khmer language - is a social enterprise that was born in 2016 when the young woman, who was already working with lake communities, noticed the difficulties faced by female lake dwellers staying at home and looking after their families.
“I had seen in these communities, which live in a lake environment, so quite difficult, that the children were keen to go to school, but their parents couldn't afford it,” explains Sounsrors.
That's how the idea for the Rokhak project came about; to create a work opportunity for the women living on the lake, so that they could send their children to school.
Srounsors adds: “I wanted to become an independent woman myself and pass on the spirit of independence not only to myself, but also to many other women. However, many Cambodian women living in rural areas cannot easily become independent. When I was 17, I got married and my days were full of household chores. As a result, many young women can't go to school and aren't aware of the importance of education”.
“I want to tell these people how important education is in life, I created Rokhak because I wanted to help women going through the same experience as me.”
The young Cambodian woman also explains that mothers have to look after several children, have not necessarily received an education themselves, and have to make do with the only income in the household, which is that of the father. “This situation persists and is likely to continue if we don't help mothers acquire a minimum of financial autonomy”, she says.
At the start of the project, Rokhak had just five beneficiaries. Today, fifteen women from three different communities live off the project.
Good reasons
Making woven baskets from water hyacinths is an old tradition and, in addition to the economic benefits of developing this activity, creating a social enterprise was also an opportunity for Sounsrors to perpetuate this tradition. The advantage of exploiting this plant is also environmental, as the water hyacinth, despite its poetic name, is an invasive species likely to threaten the already fragile ecosystem of the Grand Lac. With its long, dense roots and rapid growth, it poses a serious threat to marine animals and fish.
Using water hyacinth
The advantage of this plant is its multi-purpose nature. Its flower is eaten as an extra garnish with the traditional Khmer dish, Prahok, but the main interest is in being able to weave a material readily available for making everyday objects, such as a basket, a box, a floor mat, a coaster and many others. Sounsrors explains:
“The beauty of water hyacinth is that it grows in abundance, costs nothing and is found all over the lake. So the women also have time to look after their families.”
The water hyacinth production process is relatively straightforward. The first step is to cut and harvest the plants from the lake. The leaves are then cut and dried in the sun until they change color. The process usually takes no more than two weeks. Weaving can then begin, by slightly moistening the plants to make them more supple and malleable.
This is how the weavers will then be able to offer their splendid original creations.
Currently, Rokhak is concentrating on developing new products such as cushion covers, which are currently being manufactured. From now on, I will do my best to target not only tourists, but also locals.”
“I've felt once again the importance of working hard even in difficult times,” concludes the young woman.
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