When I walk through the busy streets of our town in Samoa, I see something that makes me sad. Many kids, some as young as eight, are selling things like fruits, vegetables, and crafts.

These kids should be in school, not working on the streets.

Education is very important. As a high school student, I know how much we learn in school. School helps us get ready for the future. It gives us a chance to have better jobs and a better life. But the kids who are selling on the streets are missing this chance. They are working to help their families, but they are losing their chance to learn and grow.

These young vendors work hard. They stand in the sun, deal with customers, and handle money. While they are helping their families now, they are missing out on their education. Without school, it’s hard for them to get good jobs when they grow up. They might end up stuck in the same cycle of poverty.

We need to help these kids get back to school. As a community, we can do a lot. The government can provide support, like free school meals and scholarships. Community programs can help too, offering after-school activities and tutoring. Non-profit organizations can raise awareness and offer help to families in need.

Everyone has a role to play. Parents, teachers, policymakers, and even students like us can make a difference. We can talk about the importance of education and why kids shouldn’t have to work on the streets. We can support programs that help families so that kids can go to school.

When I see these young vendors, I see kids with dreams and hopes, just like me and my friends. But while I am in school, they are working. This isn’t fair. Every child deserves the chance to go to school, learn, and have a bright future.

Let’s work together to make sure all kids in Samoa get the education they deserve. They should be in classrooms, not selling on the streets. By helping them, we are helping our whole community have a better future.

Uale Tofilau is a Year 12 student at Church College in Pesega. Every week he will be providing views on social issues from the perspective of a youth.