A Workplace That Empowers: Ary’s Return and the Heart of Smateria

When Ary, Smateria’s much-loved HR Manager, returned to work earlier this year after maternity leave, she carried more than her laptop and lunch bag - she carried the hopes, love, and rhythms of her growing family.

Now a proud mum of two, Ary stepped back into her role with confidence, knowing that her little ones weren’t far away. In fact, they were just down the hall.

That’s because Smateria offers on-site childcare at its Phnom Penh workshop - a warm, supportive space where the children of team members are cared for while their parents work.

For working mothers like Ary, this means returning to work with peace of mind, knowing their children are close, safe, and part of the same vibrant community.

Smateria’s daycare isn’t an add-on - it’s a reflection of something deeper: a belief that work should support life, not compete with it.

Since the beginning, Smateria has championed ethical practices and female empowerment - not only through the materials it uses or the way its products are made, but through how it treats its people.

Because when women are supported, families flourish. And when families flourish, communities thrive.

From the sewing tables to the daycare floor, Smateria is weaving something much more powerful than thread. It’s creating space for women to grow, lead, and show up as their full selves - with their children never far behind.