Teen sacrifices fun to help his family

By Ulimasao Fata 08 December 2017, 12:00AM

It’s that time of the year again when students celebrate graduations and prize giving ceremonies, with exams all done except for song practice at most schools.

Most students treat this period as a time to say goodbye to their friends inside the four walls of their classrooms and reflect on their performance throughout the year.

Others opt to stay home and help their families.

One of them is Aana College student Finau Lino, 18 years old from Leulumoega. 

Village Voice team met this young man while waiting for a ride to return home after selling his koko esi yesterday morning with his younger siblings.

Mr. Lino said he was not at school because he wanted to help his family.

“We will be having our prize giving next week; basically most students are going to school now for song practice.

“I stopped going to school when exams were all done because my family is struggling in terms of money, so I have to help out.

“I have been selling koko esi ever since and I have been making $80 per day and that is my contribution to my parents.”

Mr. Lino also shared about his family’s struggle and he mentioned that he is living with his parents and five other siblings.

“My family is struggling so badly because my mother is the only person working to support our family, plus the money we make from our koko esi.

“My father is the one working our plantation as well as making the koko esi that we are selling every day.

“One of the struggles that we faced selling our koko esi is that we have to find a ride from where we live to take us down to Leulumoega coastal area and ride back here at Leaega.”

Mr. Lino also mentioned that his family did not have a proper water supply.

“We do not have running water here at our place, rain is our only source of water, if not then we have to go to the coastal area again to get water from there but it will cost us money.”

Mr. Lino also admitted that his family is struggling and he is doing everything he can to support them.

“I can tell that my family is struggling, but I am happy that I can contribute.

“I am also trying to do everything I can to help with the struggle my family is facing.”

If you wish to help Mr. Lino and his family, he can be contacted through mobile number 7593390.

By Ulimasao Fata 08 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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