If we are to talk about dedication and loyalty to a community cause in Samoa, we cannot think of a better example than that of Falelua Fitiao Saina of Siumu.

The 63-year-old has been picking litter on the roadside between his village and Apia for over a decade. That's close to 20 kilometers of walking across the island of Upolu, following the Cross Island Road. It is no mean feat to consistently do that for many years – come rain or sunshine – and at his age, it is amazing that he still has the stamina to get on with the job.

The story of the Siumu villager’s volunteer work was published in the 30 April 2023 edition of the Sunday Samoan. Mr. Saina started by cleaning his own village in Siumu, especially the roadside then expanded his service to the main hospital in Moto'otua and the Apia town area. 

Asked why he walks for miles to do a job that doesn't pay, the father-of-two said spreading his message was more important to him than money.

"I also want the world to keep seeing Samoa as a clean paradise and I believe that I can inspire especially the young generations to keep Samoa clean, not only for that reason but also for improved health,” he said. 

We are reminded of a quote made famous by U.S. President John F. Kennedy, which encapsulates the importance of public service.

“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” President Kennedy said in his inaugural address on 20 January 1961.

The quote was a challenge from the President to all Americans at that time to contribute to the public good through service. Many years after that speech was made, a Samoan man has been rising to the occasion, and consistently for the past 10-plus years. 

He does not get paid for what he does and his free-of-charge service should put to shame those public servants, who’ve tried and maybe even got away with rotting the system.

For example, those officials within the Ministry of Health (MOH), who were identified as submitting false overtime claims following a pre-audit and monitoring of the payroll. They were served warning letters by the Ministry’s Director General and cautioned against reoffending.

Did they put their employer and the Government first in terms of dedication and loyalty? No, they didn’t. Did they put the interest of the public first and foremost above their own? No, they didn’t. Did they put themselves first before the nation? Yes, which is unfortunate. 

But service to the nation is not just about being part of a bureaucracy including working for a Government ministry or agency. Just like Mr. Saina of Siumu, it is also about doing the small things right and doing them with passion and commitment, in the hope that your acts as a good citizen of Samoa will rub off the others to become a positive influence and compel them to take similar steps in their lives.

Having celebrated the country’s 60th Independence anniversary in June last year, it is probably the best time to have a conversation about what you can do to give back to the country. 

As a private citizen, you walk around the neighbourhood and would immediately notice something’s not right, which is within your powers to address and get right. Or as a public official, the value you can add to your workflow in the office to result in tangible outcomes for the community and the nation. It does not hurt to subject yourself to a daily postmortem of your own personal goals and life as a citizen of Samoa. 

As a developing nation with a multitude of challenges to overcome, there is much more that each and every one of us can do to make this island paradise a prosperous nation. For citizens like Mr. Saina, life goes on, as he goes out of his way to keep the roadsides between his village and Apia clean and free of rubbish. But what about you and what is your contribution to making Samoa a better place, not only for yourself but for everyone else who calls this island nation home?