There are a lot of changes these days. 

But we must always remember our Samoan culture and traditions. So says Tulafasa Alofaa’e from Luatuanu’u.

The Village Voice caught up with Tulafasa as he was on his way to get some food from the shop.

“I’m not complaining about the changes today,” he said.

“I really support anything that’s good for the county as long as we fight to keep our Samoan culture and traditions.

“For example, the rapid changes in terms of transportation; that’s a very good one for the people.

“Because back then, we mostly walk everywhere and now we have a lot of buses and other means of transportation.

“It saves our energy and it saves our time.

“I think with the many changes introduced into Samoa, it has turned our world into a whole new chapter.

“It has developed our living situation, right? Which is good.

Tulafasa said to always remember our roots in these changes and that’s all that matters.

“Things change but it doesn’t mean people should.

“That’s why my village are really strict and prioritize our traditions and culture, you know just so we won’t lose them.

“We always do inspections and have meetings for the village to participate every Monday so we can discuss the important things that we should remember.

“If there’s something that’s not right, then we try to fix it.

“We also make sure every child is in school at the required time because if not, their families will be fined.

“If you get caught drinking alcohol here in the inner villages, you get fined as well.

“It’s all about keeping the peace and that happens when a village’s leadership is good.

“You know, it is little things like these that some of our people who are staying in the town area seemed to not mind anymore when they should.

“Because for me, it can affect a huge part of someone’s life.

“So if you want peace then the first thing to look at is effective leadership.”