Security guard by night, man of the house by day

By Aruna Lolani 14 September 2017, 12:00AM

Do your best and God will take care of the rest.

This is something Ta’ase Epati strongly believes in.

The father of three comes from Safune Savai’i and Lēvi Saleimoa.

Ta’ase works as a security officer at a Chinese shop at Vaitele.

“I take on the night shifts so it’s not easy but I still do it,” Ta’ase said.

“I have to because I have a family to think about. I mean if I don’t work; who knows what’s going to happen?

“It’s not an easy job, sometimes it’s risky because it’s at night time but it’s important to me because working there can earn me a few dollars to feed the family.

“If we all just stay put at home and not do anything; then obviously we get nothing as well.”

Luckily; Ta’ase’s wife is also the other breadwinner for the family. 

“I think that’s why we feel okay with the cost of living despite how many people have complained about it being too expensive.

“I believe if it was just one of us working, it would be a different experience and I think that’s why I value my work so much.

“I feel sorry for families who have bigger families and only have one breadwinner because I know how it felt like when it used to be just me working.”

Ta’ase told Village Voice that his children are the reason why he and his wife are working hard.

They need to continue on supporting them so they can complete their education.

“My eldest daughter and my son are both attending Levaula College at the moment while my youngest has just started primary school.”

“You know; I think we can all agree that nobody likes working but it’s a life we need to get used to because if we don’t, the only thing we get is nothing.”

“So I’m thankful to have my wife by my side because it is both our jobs, and that is enough to get us by everyday.”

He added “We even have pigs to sell for future obligations.”

“Yes, in this day and age, everything that can help us make money matters because if we don’t earn a living, how would we ever develop what needs to be developed within our families?”

By Aruna Lolani 14 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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