Family is everything.

Meet Iefata Pauli, 19, from the village of Vaipu’a in Savai’i.

Mr. Pauli said he came last week from Savai’i to find a job in Upolu so he could support his family and parents back in Savai’i.

“I just came from Savai’i last week to live with my aunty here in Falelauniu and start seeking for a job to support my parents back home in Savai’i,” he said to the Village Voice team while on his way to deliver his application letters to supermarkets yesterday morning. 

“It’s really hard finding a job there in Savai’i and that’s why I came all the way here just so I can get a job.”

Mr. Pauli also said he had been sending out application letters to companies in Upolu and he is hoping for a response soon.

“I just came back from Farmer Joe Supermarket to submit my letter there and I also dropped a few letters yesterday to a few other places and I am just hoping they will give me a call soon.”

Mr. Pauli shared why he opted to come to Apia to find a job.

“I have been seeking for a job there in Savai’i for the last two years and it was unsuccessful,” Mr. Pauli said.

“Our family is heavily depended on our plantation for survival, as well as the sea because my dad is a fisherman.”

“We don’t have anyone there working but we are surviving through our plantation because we also sell it when we have harvested enough.”

Mr. Pauli also shared about the skills he has that could help him get a job.

“I am good in carpentry works, and I am also good in plantation work because that’s what I have been doing in Savai’i.”

Mr. Pauli added he started to miss his family in Savai’i but he would try harder to get a job and send his earnings to support them.

“I am missing my parents so much, but this is a challenge for me to work hard and support them from here when I get a job.”