Meet Aca

Let your heart be touched and come along.

With pride and love, Lain Sayang Lain proudly announces the book Padede, written by Aca Siwabessy - Stoffels. A talented individual of Moluccan Dutch descent, from whom we (if it's up to us!) will hear much more. Betty Titawano, the creative mind behind LSL, has illustrated Padede and enriched the book with her artistic talent.

Book talk with Aca Siwabessy - Stoffels.

Nusa Ina sent some questions to Aca about her book. What exactly does Aca want to share with you? Why is it so important to make peace with yourself?

Padede emerged from processing life events. Some topics will be familiar to many in the community. For others, it is a glimpse into the life of a Moluccan woman who grew up in the Netherlands and has learned to live in today's society.

What message do you want the reader to take away from your book?

Dear reader, I hope that this book can contribute to the feeling that you are seen and supported.

Whatever your vulnerability, taboo, secret or struggle, you are not alone. I hope you feel inspired to open up to yourself and to others.

What insights has this book brought you?

Padede gave me the insight that my sensitivity is my strength and that I am safe in my vulnerability. In the past, I was often advised that I needed to 'toughen up'. I'm glad I didn't listen ;)

When writing your book, were you sometimes careful about the words you chose? If so, when and why

When I write I am careful, not cautious. It is important to me that I can capture the story in the right words. Because I write from within myself, I feel no fear of choosing the 'wrong' words

How did you find the balance in

sharing sensitive topics?

Finding balance has never occurred to me. I let my intuition guide me and write what comes to mind. I've never thought about whether the topics are in balance with each other..

How and when did you come to write your book? What was your motivation?

I believe that a better world starts with you. If you can make peace with yourself, you contribute to peace in the world. I worked very long and hard to make peace with myself. What happens if I dare to be unapologetically vulnerable and can look at myself with gentleness? Padede is a way for me to tell more about my path to answering those questions. I like to share that with others. Hopefully others will also find more peace within themselves in their own way and we as a community can connect with ourselves and each other with more love and gentleness.

Your daughter is one of the most important people in your life. What would you like to give her?

And: We cannot avoid fear, pain and trauma in our lives. What we can do is discover together how we can best deal with it.

Aca & Betty, two of the many talents among us.

And I have the honor and pleasure of writing a small introduction for Padede. Aca writes this book in her entirely unique way. I had the privilege of reading Padede in its raw version and later had the pleasure of reading it again just before its release. As you're accustomed to from me, I will give my opinion here completely openly and honestly. Although I haven't met Aca in person yet, it feels as if I know her. I can almost hear Aca whispering, saying, 'I expect nothing less than an honest, open opinion.' Maybe I'm wrong, but secretly, I don't think so. If I am mistaken, then an apology in advance is certainly in order.

Why do I feel as though I know Aca personally, and that she already feels so close and familiar? This is partly due to the many conversations I've had with Betty and Aca's intimate and open writing style.

The first time I read Padede, I was somewhat unsettled, not quite knowing where to place these words. The second time I read it, something inside me was awakened. It was as if I heard and felt her words and her story in a different way. They seemed to land somewhere deep within me, inviting me to look—to look and listen with my own eyes and ears, and to let everything go, freely.

Very respectfully, at my own pace, in my own rhythm.

Aca touches on various (life) topics in Padede in her unique way. She stirs things up to release the aroma, and then leaves it to the reader to create and mix in their own sauce.

Thank you, Aca, for sharing your words and this beautiful book with us. You managed—and continue—to touch me in a stimulating, inviting, gentle, and sometimes confrontational way (yes, that's needed too...), but above all, in a loving manner.

Do you dare to look further with an open and loving perspective? Or do you perhaps need that loving nudge and support?

Allow yourself to be invited and carried away by Padede.

Enjoy, let go and fly away.

Nusa Ina

# Bewustwording & Bewust zijn Levenslessen Moluccan community

Nusa Ina August 22, 2024