The future of Samoa

Dear Editor,

 

Thank you Su’a Julia Wallwork for helping the street vendors. This is a noble effort but the problem stem from this generation of parents who are embracing the idea of sending kids to sell goods on the street in lieu of getting education. 

Young parents with no education and bad habits are forcing the children to become street vendors so they can provide and support them and their bad habits, instead of parents providing for the children. 

Church, school, basic needs along with high cost of living have contributed to the suffering of these families.

I have seen parents in there 30s sleeping during the day and drinking at night while the kids are out selling cocoa or other merchandise. I have seen parents screaming at the kid if he/she didn’t sell enough goods.

Where is the government? Where is the so-called Caretaker? If you take a closer look at the history of our beloved Island Nation since this party came to power, the unfortunates are ignored while the government enjoys luxurious life style on the back of these people and family. 

Samoa has become a nation of two classes of people. The haves and have not.

Our culture requirements/demand contributed to the new changes in our society. Unfortunately it also contributes to stress and suicide. 

We claim to be a nation of Christian but we judge people when they don’t contribute to villages or churches when they can not afford to pay the electricity. Sometimes these families forego basic foods and necessities so they can contribute to the church or other cultural requirements. 

The phrase Give what you can no longer exist in our culture. This phenomenon or epidemic happens abroad too. People have lost homes and moved into tiny apartments with other family member due to the demand of cultural.

I am angry and saddened by these stories and also the act of irresponsible parents. I know I am being judgmental with some of my comments here but it’s my point of view and its what I bear witness to.

There is an old saying that you lead a horse to the water but you cannot make it drink. I fear most of the families that are using kids as street vendor have embraced this method of daily life.

The only solution is to pass legislation that prohibit a child from age 16 and under to sell any goods on the street that is punishable by parents spending 5 days in jail for the first offense and double for the second and so forth.

One of the basic fundamental that I cherished each day from my grandparents that was passed to them by theirs is, “Parents provide, teach and nourish their children” Regardless of circumstances.

God bless the children of Samoa.

 

T. Samatua


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