From Samata-uta to Venice, Italy

By Ulimasao Fata 19 October 2017, 12:00AM

There is always light at the end of the tunnel. All it takes to get there is a little faith in God and the passion to achieve your dream. 

This is how Sefulu Puepuemai Meki describes his life journey.

Sefulu, 23, is about to explore the world and live his dream after receiving a phone call that is soon to change his life including his family forever.

“This has been a dream come true, I graduated from the National University of Samoa School of Maritime in 2014 and it was just earlier this month that I received a phone call that I’ve got a job in Venice, Italy,” the young lad said. 

After years and months of praying and waiting, he is set to spread his wings and make his family and village.

Village Voice met Sefulu of Samata-i-Uta when he was on his way to Savai’i yesterday morning to meet his father who will sign his sailor’s contract for Venice, Italy, for the next nine months.

“To be honest, I was praying for this a long time ago when I graduated from Marine School in 2014.”

“I thank God when I was contacted last week to get ready to go and that’s good news not only for me, but for my parents as well.”

Like other families struggling from the high cost of living, he says his family is no exception.

“I come from a family that’s heavily depended on the plantation and the sea for our everyday feed, with my dad being the only person working,” Sefulu said. 

“I am the youngest child in the family and my parents expected me to do well with school and with a career.”

Sefulu said this would be his first time travelling out of Samoa.

“The only time I left home was to come here in Apia for school but this will be my first time to leave Samoa for overseas and it’s something really big for me.”

“I’ll make sure to stay away from trouble because I think that’s the number one enemy that affects any work contract.”

Sefulu added after his graduation in 2014, he had been working in Apia to support his family in Savai’i.

“After graduation I was fortunate to get a job here in Apia and support my family,” he said.

With his trip tomorrow, Village Voice asked if he had a message for young people in Samoa.

“I think we the youths should respect our roots and work hard for our prayers to be answered.”

“Life is hard and the reason why we work hard is to be able to give back and support our families and that is the reason why Samoans work.”

Sefulu will be leaving for New Zealand tomorrow and then will head to Venice on Sunday.

By Ulimasao Fata 19 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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