The cost of living compared to average incomes is the toughest part about living in Samoa today.

So says 40-year-old-father from Si’usega, Tavita Samu.

When the Village Voice team met him yesterday, he said life was good in Samoa except the expensive cost of living which is a burden to most families.

“I have two children with my wife and I tell you this, this life is not a walk in a park. If you stay home and do nothing to help your children and your family, you’ll starve to death,” Tavita said.

“To us, we need to change our mindset, there’s no time to complain and sit around waiting for a miracle to come.”

“We have to get going, if all your life was just to stay home then I tell you, you need to change it right now.”

“We are on the days where you hardly find something to eat, or money to buy your children’s lunch if you just sit around and do nothing.”

Aside from high cost of living, Tavita is also concerned about what’s happening between fans of Toa Samoa and Tonga.

“This is crazy, we are all Polynesians and watching TVNZ News last night, it was ugly,” Tavita said.

“It’s just that these all started when one Tongan guy burnt our flag, why don’t we just forgive and move on.”

“It will only create problems after problems, so we should stop but let’s cheer our boys on the field.”

He reminded fans of both teams about peace.

“We need to avoid aggression and violence and we must also understand that peace only happens when different desires are in one agreement, when we stand together and support our boys from the Pacific,” Tavita added.

“We all know what peace is all about, when everyone around you is happy, eager to love, accept and relate; you just feel peace.” 

“But most importantly we must respect people around me.”

He said people should understand that violence brings no good.

“Not only in our neighbouring islands but amongst our own communities,” Tavita said.

“We need to realize the fact that if we want peace, we have to live peacefully, love everyone, forgive, forget and live life to the fullest.”