Never too old to work

By Aruna Lolani 25 June 2017, 12:00AM

Life is about work.

This is the opinion of the elderly father Vao Maoluma of Tuana’i and Afega. 

Aged 60, he had just returned from his plantation when the Village Voice caught up with him. 

 “I know some people at my age are just staying home and letting the kids do the feau,” he said. 

“But this is me and this is my life as a father.” 

“I work and work to help out my family with these simple chores.”

“I don’t have a job but I have a plantation which helps our family in many ways.” 

Vao say he wants to live closer to his farm.

“I want to move and live here (the inner side of his village) but I can’t because the water and the electricity don’t reach that side,” he said.  

“We asked for some help but nothing has been done to solve the problem. It’s discouraging me.”

Every day, his routine is to walk for miles to reach his plantation.

He went on to say his work keeps him healthy.

“This is the bonus of working because it maintains my heath. It’s a good exercise to work miles while carrying loads of crops,” he said.  

“As you can see, I may have grey hair but I feel young. If I sit at home and depend on the children right now I would be using a wheelchair.” 

Vao is not only a farmer but a fisherman. 

“I do all sorts of chores. I try my best to help my family. I have three children working but I help them also.”

By Aruna Lolani 25 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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