Father shares his struggles

By Aruna Lolani 22 June 2017, 12:00AM

Being a father is one of the hardest jobs in the world.

It comes with lots of responsibilities.

Ask Taua Linopati, 53, of Faleula and Palauli Savai’i and he will tell you. 

The father was cutting grass in front of his home in the rain when the Village Voice caught up with him.

 “This is my life,” he tells Village Voice team. 

“Despite the rain, I work because I’ve got no one else to depend on but myself.  

“My wife and I have three young kids; we depend on our families overseas.

“As you can see we live on just a piece of land which is why I don’t have a plantation. There’s not enough space here.”

Key to survival for Taua is serving God. 

 “I have a duty to God. And as a father, I have a duty to my family because God requires that of me. 

“My wife and I don’t work, the kids are too young to help us, we have no plantation and we don’t earn much money. But I’m grateful for the blessings we get everyday. Somehow we always find food.”

Taua admits that it’s tough living on the bare minimum.

 “Sometimes I think this is a nightmare. But whenever I pray, I feel calm and I believe that God works in mysterious ways. 

“I told myself that I am the man of the house, with the role of a husband and a parent and I shouldn’t be giving up so easily.” 

Which is why Taua is looking for a job. 

“We’re thankful to our families overseas for helping us. I promise to pay you all back once I find a job.

“I used to work before but I couldn’t go when we first started to have kids.” 

“Now I’m looking for work. I guarantee you I can do the job. I just need to work to help out my family.”

Taua can be contacted on 7227857.

By Aruna Lolani 22 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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