Our land precious treasure

By Ulimasao Fata 02 November 2017, 12:00AM

Samoa’s land is far more valuable than money. 

And just how important is the land? 

Sila Faitasi, 29, believes it is the reason for living. He says it is the connector between mankind and the earth. 

Land, he said, was created for mankind.

He believes there is money and food on our land and all it takes is hard work to reap a good harvest. 

The hardworking father of four from Patamea in Savai’i shared his thoughts to the Village Voice team yesterday while selling coconuts in front of his wife’s house at Tanugamalala.

Mr. Faitasi said selling coconuts was his job when he visited his in-laws in Upolu.

“We are currently residing in Patamea in Savai’i, but we are just here visiting my wife’s family in Tanumalala,” he said. 

“We came for White Sunday and since then I have been selling coconuts here as well as taro from the taro patch behind our house.”

“I’m used to the work, because this is what I do back in Savai’i, I have a vegetable garden and I also sell them for income.”

Mr. Faitasi also mentioned the challenges his family encounters on a daily basis.

“Our family is very simple, but the only challenge at the moment is that my family is in Savai’i while my wife’s family is here, so it’s really hard connecting the kids with their two families.”

Mr. Faitasi said the money he earned was enough to cater for their family needs.

“I guess I could say its good money and it is enough to provide for our whole family here, as well as the kid’s needs.”

“Sometimes I get $50 from selling coconuts and $150 from bags of taro that I sell in two days, and I think its serves enough for the whole family.”

“The more coconuts and taro I can get, the more money I could earn, and it all goes straight to the in-laws and then to me and my family.”

Mr. Faitasi said commitment was one thing that kept him motivated.

“I have committed myself to the plantation because I know the more I work, the more I would earn.”

“Compared to the pay you get from working in companies, it never balances the work you do throughout the whole week,” he added.

Mr. Faitasi said he would be going back to Savai’i next month so he could harvest his vegetable garden and sell it for Christmas.

By Ulimasao Fata 02 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>