Father sends children away for better opportunities

By Aruna Lolani 08 June 2017, 12:00AM

Life in Samoa is okay.

But for Olegia Fuialo, he believes there are better prospects for him and his family in New Zealand or another country overseas.

 “Life here is very easy,” said the 42-year-old from Falefa.

“We have everything we need and as a father I work hard to provide for my family. 

“We used to live at Salelesi but we have moved with my family to Falefa which is a lot easier for us to develop. We have a plantation at the back of our house which helps us a lot.

“We also have four children overseas who send money when it’s really needed.”

For Olegia, it’s better off overseas.

“It’s not like I’m criticising the development of Samoa but for me personally, there are better opportunities overseas.

“I prefer to send my children to work overseas.

“They get to earn enough and they get to save up a lot to build houses, buy cars and many other things within two or three months. 

“There are opportunities in Samoa but they are hard to come by.

“This is why I send my children overseas to develop themselves and be able to help us out. 

“Samoa is very easy but if we do not think out of the box we will remain the same forever.” 

For the father of six, he knows what it means to work hard.

 “Our families especially children will not appreciate the value of hard work if we don’t show them.” 

Olegia sees himself as a strong father who knows that depending on others will not benefit him and his family.  

“The difficult part of our lives is depending on others to help us out.

“If you are lazy to grow anything then you can even collect coconuts and sell them to families who want it. 

“If the bus fares are too expensive you don’t even have to go to town to sell those coconuts, there will always be people around here who will buy them.

“There are so many money-making methods. The only time you need a lot of money is when there are funerals or other village activities. That’s the only time I ask my children overseas for help.”

By Aruna Lolani 08 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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