Gifts and talents are meant to be developed.

They are granted so that people can enjoy God’s blessings on this earth.

For Le’emo Tifaga, 38, and a father of six from Letogo, his gift is to make elei prints. He works for a company that makes lavalava and other materials.

 “This is what I do for a living,” he said.

“It is difficult for me to get a job anywhere in town so one business couple took me in to do elei to earn money.”

And it’s working well for Leemo.

“The couple gets to sell elei to their overseas friends and more to local businesses in the town area. I enjoy my work and I like being creative.”

For someone like Leemo, he wishes he had a qualification.

 “It’s difficult to get a job because as far as I know most businesses only recruit people with qualifications. So I have to find something I know will earn money from to look after our family. 

“Where I work is far from my family and I miss them so much because most of the time we get to stay at work until weekends, but I sacrifice that so I can earn a living to care for them.

“My family understands as well that what I’m doing is for the children.”

Le’emo said he is not the most well paid worker but he makes enough.

 “I’ve been working for years now and whatever I earn covers my children’s education, supports my family and it covers church commitments.

 “To me it’s good money, we just need to know how to budget and make sure the important things are done first. The rest will wait till the next pay day.”

Le’emo said the work is tough.

 “I get to work every day and I’m expected to do more than 50 eleis a day. 

 “Sometimes I finish work at midnight but it’s a good thing the owner gets to drop me home if I need to go home.

“You see, with private businesses you work hard to earn a profit and if you are told to do the work all day, you’ve got no excuse but do it. 

“But as long as I have money for my family I am happy”.