Meet Perosi Mapu, is a 22 year old National University of Samoa student from Vaitele-Fou who is finishing off his Bachelor of Education degree this year.

Mr. Mapu aims to have a teaching job to help his parents. 

So for him to succeed in life he needs to put in the maximum effort.

“Life today is not easy anymore; if you don’t work hard you won’t receive anything at all,” he told Village Voice.

“I see the cost of living is very expensive. Some families are struggling as life moves on and the cost of living increases.

Spending his last year in University, he hopes to complete his training for an education career and take other steps forward in life.

“I see my parents struggling for my school fees which cost them thousands Then there are my young siblings as well, so that’s why I need to work hard for them.”

Changes and challenges happen in his life as a student and sometimes he feels tired of going to school.

“At times I almost give up because school life is very hard and I do feel tired and lazy sometimes, but I still have to have the courage to move on and complete my schooling.”

For Mr. Mapu, his parents are his role models who strengthen him to stay focused in his life as a student. 

“Every day I look at them, they gave me the strength to keep going and not give up in life. I know it’s very hard to care for more than five children in a family, but I see that my parents have taken their time to make sure that we have the best life for the future.

“As for me, this is my last year and I hoped it will bring me more opportunities for the future.”

And for Mr. Mapu to succeed in life, hard work is important.

“Studying hard and working hard go together with putting my faith in God. 

That  makes everything possible for me.”