A leading business in Apia has shown a heart of compassion for one of many street vendors on the streets of Apia.

Identified as Siliafo, the young boy who used to frequently hawk different goods on the streets of Apia at night was offered employment by Apollo Cinemas in a bid to help him and his family.

Apollo Cinemas Manager, Arnold Dulguime, confirmed that Siliafo came and asked for a job and although he did not qualify, they wanted to help him. 

 “I was in the Philippines, I had a part time too,” said Mr. Dulguime.

“I was studying and then worked you know at McDonuts and Jelly Beans, the food chains in the Philippines and because of back then. I really wanted to help people like students to make money by working part time here."

 “That’s why we just hired him (Siliafo) for part time because he’s a nice guy and it was school holidays.” 

Siliafo, he said, was a nice young boy who genuinely wanted to help his family. That’s why he was working on the streets.

The Manager noted that he was different from the other street vendors who are so rude.

Siliafo now returns to school.

Mr. Dulguime said they had to let him go so he can focus on his education, reminding him that he could always come back to work during the school holidays.

At Apollo Cinemas, Mr. Dulguime said that one of the things the Owner does for the street vendors is help them.

“They buy their own tickets but sometimes they are given vouchers or ticket money from Auree Westerlund (owner),” he said. 

“Our goal is try and help them.”

 “We will continue with this especially for the street children. We really want to help them make a difference.”