Smiling through the struggles

By Aruna Lolani 29 March 2017, 12:00AM

Having a life that focuses on taking good care of your family is not an easy job. 

For Koui Siliuga, 22, from the village of Eva, his family is his main priority.

“Right now, I’m trying my best to look for a job because I need it. I need to work for my family.” 

 “It is our plantation that’s helping us earn little money,” he said.

 “This is what my family relies on and this is where we get money. Sometimes we sell our crops at the market and sometimes we sell it infront of our house.”

“Sometimes when the plantation is not ready, then we turn to the sea for fish, we then sell some to get money.”

Koui said the only answer at times like these is getting a job.  

“At the moment, I’m looking for a job because I know how life is now, I know how expensive the cost of living is and it’s not very assuring to just depend on what the plantation has to offer because there are times when it takes a whole lot of time for the plantation to grow. Can it provide us with money right at the time when we need it? There’s no guarantee there. “

“Another reason why I need a job is because no one in our family works but we have so many things that we need to do such as village and church obligations, not forgetting obligations within our own family.”  

“As you can see, you’ve caught me right after doing some work at the plantation. I leave home in the morning because it feels good to start early. The weather is cool at that time.” 

Village Voice also asked Koui about the current status for their water and electricity and he said that all those things are in good conditions however money is the problem. Not having enough money to help the family out, is a big problem. 

“The plantation is what my family are surviving on right now. Our strength goes into trying to develop this plantation because if nothing grows, we have no money at all.” 

 “This is why I’m desperate for a job because of the situation that we are in. My family needs financial help.”  

“We all know that unlike a plantation, a job can provide you with a fixed amount of money every week and that’s enough reason for you to know that your family will have something to eat every day. You’re always going to know that you will get paid for your work.” 

“That’s what I’m praying for, a job of my own to support my family. That’s what I really need.”

By Aruna Lolani 29 March 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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