Family values places Samoa above all others

By Deidre Fanene 04 June 2017, 12:00AM

Family values and Culture. 

Those are the two things Luetta Peterson will miss when she returns to the United States of America. Ms. Peterson is not new in Samoa because this is her second time visiting the.

When the Sunday Samoan caught up with her, she was shopping for some souvenirs at the Savalalo Flea Market.

“I live in the States but I always come here to visit as one of my daughters is married to a Samoan,” she said.

“So I just come to visit my son-in-law’s family and it’s a way for me to get away from everything and relax.”

“When I first came to Samoa I thought wow what a wonderful place and yet people don’t really know that such place does exist.”

“It’s a lot less hectic compared to the States. The life is simple and the people are beautiful and so down to earth. It’s peaceful and it’s just amazing.”

She went on to say that during her visit in Samoa, one thing continues to amaze her.

“Family,” she said. “I mean as a mother family is very important to me and back in the States that’s the lesson I always teach my children - the importance of family.”

“I mean I cannot speak for the country because that’s not how it is there but for my family we are very close.”

“So when one of my girls married a Samoan guy we visited his family for the first time and that was the first thing I admired about Samoa is that family is very important.”

“I mean they help each other, the relationship between the children and the parents and the respect the children give to their parents is amazing.”

“And that is how I want my palagi family to be, I want my children to give respect where there is needed in order for them to earn respect in return.”

So what will she miss the most?

“I’ll miss my son-in-law’s family because they have been so good to me during my stay here,” she said.

“The hospitality that they gave to me to ensure my stay here goes well and that I would enjoy is just amazing.”

“Most especially I am so going to miss the Samoan Cocoa (koko Samoa) I have never tasted anything so delicious in my life and the way they make it is just hard work.”

“I’ve got some to take back with me and I don’t think I’ll share it with anyone.”

So what’s unique about Samoa?

“Well Samoa is unique because of its culture and the people,” said. Ms. Peterson.

“From the young ones up to the senior citizens they value their culture so much that they wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”

“I wish we have a culture that is as rich as the Samoan culture but we don’t and that’s is why we face a lot of problems.”

“And despite the hot weather the beaches as well as the rivers are beautiful.”

“So even though Samoa is such a small country but the way they live and the things they have is more than enough to survive and be happy.”

By Deidre Fanene 04 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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