In Siem Reap province, Cambodia, two women left the rice fields for a trade that has allowed them to improve their daily lives. One cuts lotus stems, the other patiently extracts the fibers to turn them into thread.
Both now work for the Lotus Farm. This social enterprise specializes in producing lotus fiber fabrics. It offers job opportunities exclusively to women in vulnerable situations.
This story paints a dual portrait of these two workers, revealing a daily life of repetitive gestures and meticulous know-how. Their story highlights women’s empowerment in rural areas and the role of a social enterprise in improving living conditions.
Between the fragile beauty of lotus flowers and the harsh reality of manual labor, this story shows how a traditional activity can become a lever for social stability for those who make a living from it.
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The story
33 images
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Lotus cutter and boatwoman in the village of Phnom Krom. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Coupeuse de lotus et…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Lotus cutter and boatwoman in the village of Phnom Krom. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Coupeuse de lotus et…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Phom Krom village.Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Village de Phnom Krom. Photographie de Carine BARRET / Collectif DR
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. House on stilts. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Maison sur pilotis. Photographie de Carine BARRET / Collectif DR
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Lotus cutter and boatwoman in the village of Phnom Krom. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Coupeuse de lotus et…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Lotus stem cross. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Coupe de tige de lotus. Photographie de Carine BARRET / Collectif DR
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Lotus cutter and boatwoman in the village of Phnom Krom. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Coupeuse de lotus et…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Lotus field. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Champ de lotus. Photographie de Carine BARRET / Collectif DR
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Lotus flower. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Fleur de lotus. Photographie de Carine BARRET / Collectif DR
Cambodia, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.04.Blooming pink lotus flower in Cambodia. Photography by Carine Barret / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.04. Fleur de lotus rose au Cambodge. Photographie…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Grandmother and hert grandchildren. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Grand-mere avec ses petits enfants. Photographie…
Cambodia,Aranh, 2026-02-08.Portrait of a lotus fiber spinner in the village of D’Aranh, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Aranh, 2026-02-08…
Cambodia,Aranh, 2026-02-08. Cambodian artisan woman spinning lotus fiber in a traditional house in Aranh village, Siem Reap province, Cambodia.Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge…
Cambodia,Aranh, 2026-02-08. Cambodian artisan woman spinning lotus fiber in a traditional house in Aranh village, Siem Reap province, Cambodia.Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge…
Cambodia,Aranh, 2026-02-08. Bundle of lotus stems stored in the home of a lotus fiber spinner in the village of Aranh, Siem Reap province. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge…
Cambodia, Aranh, 2026-02-08.Artisan hand-spinning lotus fiber in Aranh village, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Aranh, 2026-02-08. Artisan…
Cambodia, Aranh, 2026-02-08.Artisan hand-spinning lotus fiber in Aranh village, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Aranh, 2026-02-08. Artisan…
Cambodia,Aranh, 2026-02-08. Hands marked by small injuries, evidence of the delicate work of a lotus spinner in the village of Aranh, Siem reap province. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR…
Cambodia,Aranh, 2026-02-08.Portrait of a lotus fiber spinner in the village of D’Aranh, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Aranh, 2026-02-08…
Cambodia,Aranh, 2026-02-08. A field of verdant lotus flowers in the village of Aranh, Siem Reap province. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Aranh, 2026-02-08. Champ de lotus…
Cambodia,Aranh, 2026-02-08.Portrait of a lotus fiber spinner in the village of D’Aranh, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Aranh, 2026-02-08…
Cambodia,Aranh, 2026-02-08.Portrait of a lotus fiber spinner in the village of D’Aranh, Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Aranh, 2026-02-08…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.04. Lotus Farm, Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photography by Carine Barret / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.04.Lotus Farm, Siem Reap, Cambodge. Photographie de…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Woman cleaning lotus stems. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Femme nettoyant des tiges de lotus. Photographie de Carine…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Lotus fiber. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Fibre de lotus. Photographie de Carine BARRET / Collectif DR
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Craftswomen who extract and spin lotus fiber. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Artisanes qui extraient et filent la…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.04. Women working for the Lotus Farm in Siem Reap, Cambodia, transforming lotus fiber into textile threads. Scene of traditional and sustainable…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.04. Women working for the Lotus Farm in Siem Reap, Cambodia, transforming lotus fiber into textile threads. Scene of traditional and sustainable…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.04.Lotus fiber stoles – Lotus Farm. Handwoven craftsmanship.Photography by Carine Barret / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.04. Étoles en fibre de lotus -…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Lotus fiber fabrics. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Tissus en fibres de lotus. Photographie de Carine BARRET /…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.04. Women working for the Lotus Farm in Siem Reap, Cambodia, transforming lotus fiber into textile threads. Scene of traditional and sustainable…
Cambodia, Phnom Krom,2026.02.11. Hands and lotus flower. Photography by Carine BARRET / Collectif DR. Cambodge, Phnom Krom, 2026.02.11. Mains et fleur de lotus. Photographie de Carine BARRET /…