Nothing worth having comes easy

By Aruna Lolani 13 June 2017, 12:00AM

Life is not easy but Fa’iilagi Togafau, of Utuali’i, remains optimistic.

She knows there is not much she can do about a lot of things happening around her so she is doing her best to look after her family, especially her children.

“Growing up was hard. We had a hard life,” she said. 

“Our family struggled financially.”

Some of those struggles have not changed.

Fai’ilagi is now a mother of eight.

“We try our very best to put them through school. On top of all that we also have to deal with other stuff at home and with the village.”

Aged 42, Fa’iilagi said the Samoan life is hard. 

“That’s where everyone is really struggling,” she said.

“We’ve got too many faalavelave to deal with and everyone is struggling.”

For Fai’ilagi, they depend on seafood for money and survival.

 “For us, we mainly live off of the sea. My husband and some of my brothers always go fishing for money.  It’s really hard but we have no other choice.”

Sometimes they go without money. 

“What do I do when I know I have no money for the children the next day?” 

But she is optimistic.

The mother went on to say, hard work, dedication is what will get them through.

 “You have to be willing to put in extra time and continue to develop knowledge and future relations,” she said. 

“The secret is hard work, and to make sure the success stays in the family. 

“You can start from scratch, but if you work hard, you will reap the fruits of your labour.”

She added: “We are a hard-working couple and we work every hour we can to give the best to our young family.

“We are going to go fishing to find some food and money.”

By Aruna Lolani 13 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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