What does she do faster: writing or talking? I think with a smile as I sit across from Soecy Gummels during the literature presentations of the Inter Guiana Cultural Festival in Paramaribo. This three-day festival held from August 26 to 28, 2011, brought artists together from the three Guiana countries: Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
Writes, editors and publishers of these three South American countries presented books and discussed literature in one of Fort Zeelandia's rooms in Paramaribo. At one of the tables sat a writer and I introduced myself. What was supposed to be a short introduction grew into a one-hour long talk about Soecy Gummel's life, her writing career and her women’s empowerment contributions in Suriname. She is simply a fascinating woman.
Soecy Gummels – From Housewife to Writer of Novels and Children's Books
Soecy was born in Suriname, moved to the United States at the age of seven but returned to Suriname when she got married. Here she wrote her first book, but as her young family demanded her attention, it didn't get finished.
"When the children were grown up, I decided to take up writing again," she says. "I started a new book called Seeds of Hope, a love story set against a background of domestic violence." The novel became a success and Soecy Gummels went back to the draft of her first book that was still lying on the shelf. This was subsequently published as Circle of Love, which is about the struggle of an American woman set against the background of the troubles in Nicaragua,
English and Dutch Novels by Soecy Gummels
More books followed: Touched by Love was nominated for 2006 Single Titles Reviewers' Choice Award Nominee and the 2008 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and also Circle of Love was nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (2007). Soecy Gummels is currently working on Gifts of Love. Like her previous novels, this book centres on women and emotions.
Other books by her hand are in Dutch: Waar het bloed kruipt, De kleur in mijn hart, De spin in mijn web, Daddy. Her Dutch and English novels are sold in bookstores in Suriname and the United States, and online.
But writing is only part of her life. In Wageningen, a town that severely suffered from unemployment and poverty after the collapse of Suriname's rice industry, she founded a women writers’ group, WAGINA. Their first project was to write children's books.
Each book in the series Kinderen van Suriname (Children of Suriname) is situated in one of Suriname's ten districts, representing their specific ethnic cultures, religions and history. Parts of these series are Savitrie van Nickerie, Rebecca van Paramaribo, and Achmad van Commewijne.
From Books to Television
The WAGINA group was approached by Apintie TV and a project followed for Suriname's children's program Milly & Billy. In this program, the little boy Moi Boi became the central figure in the ten stories. Thanks to their success, the Moi Boi Children's Stories were published in print, and are highly popular in primary schools.
Since the income level of Surinamese is generally low and the purpose of the books is to make them as accessible as possible, the WAGINA group chooses not to use fancy hard covers, but simply use coloured prints that they bundle themselves into books.
Children's Books by Soecy Gummels in English
"And then there was this series. Wait, I'll get some copies," Soecy exclaims. I smile. I'm delighted to meet this energetic woman who has contributed so much to her country. The series of Kindervertier, all written by herself, is suitable to be read to children of 4-6 years old, or can be read by children themselves from 6-8 years.
The books of Kindervertier are published in English and Spanish as well. The drawings are from the hand of students of Paramaribo's Nola Hatterman Art Academy. This series includes (title in English/Dutch/Spanish):
- Ramon and Rinaldo / Ramon en Rinaldo / Ramón y Rinoldo
- Henkie the Hare / Henk de Haas / Henkyl la liebre
- Chico's birthday / Chico's verjaardag / El cumpleaños de Chico
- This is how I live / Zef ik netjes, goed en gezond / Asi vivo ordenado, bien y sano
- Randy and his father, the pilot / Randy en zijn vader de piloot / Randy y su papá, el piloto
- The Cat family / De familie Poes / La familia Gato
The children's books can be ordered by email: soecy@sr.net.
A second series of children's books is currently being translated into English. In the series Special Kids, difficult situations or handicaps are discussed and this series will hopefully contribute to a better understanding of these issues among the Surinamese population.
The series Special Kids includes, among others:
- Steffi – is a life story of a blind girl and her experiences at the National Foundation of Blind Care in Suriname. This book is also available in Braille.
- Mati – explains how Mati was taken away from his mother and lived with a foster family.
- Osiris – is a boy with a mental handicap who tells about his experiences with the Matoekoe Foundation in Lelydorp, that teaches mentally handicapped children skills to become as independent as possible.
- Oma's kids – is the story about a grandmother who contributes something to the lives of her grandchildren and the children living in her neighbourhood.
From Writing to Soroptimist International
Soecy Gummels is a member of Soroptimist International, a women's foundation focused on increasing opportunities for women to be independent. On November 19, 2011, Soroptimist Suriname organises a fundraising event at the Oxygen Resort in Paramaribo.
With the money they hope to construct two new rooms in the Ilse Labadie Training Centre in Paramaribo. Here, girls with learning disabilities learn how to cook, sew and other practical skills. Secondly, funds will be raised for the Prasoro Foundation, a home for children from families that have social problems (drugs, abuse and so on).
I have the feeling we can talk for weeks. I feel inspired by this Soecy Gummels, who seems to smile, laugh, talk, write and help women and children all at the same time. It is time for lunch. I have no doubt she can eat as well while doing all the above-mentioned activities. We will stay in touch, and I look forward to following her writing and volunteer activities in Suriname.
Karin-Marijke Vis - Karin-Marijke Vis is a bilingual writer (Dutch-English) who has been traveling in Asia and South America since 2003.
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