We all have choices

By Aruna Lolani 18 August 2017, 12:00AM

Samoa is not a nations of slaves, neither is it poor.

We have everything that we need from the sea and the land.

We just need to work in order to get it.

Mua Iao, 42, of Satalo and Same Sapapalii, Savaii, knows this.

“It’s good to work because that is the real life of a Samoan person,” Mua said to Village Voice.

“It’s true that there are people who don’t like the idea of working but it doesn’t mean we have to put an end to it because this is the way our ancestors started and it will always be in our nature.

“This is the good thing about working. You know you’re going to get paid and you can guarantee that you can pay to for what you want and need.

“For instance, we all know you can’t use your crops to pay your school fees.

“You can feed your kids by using those crops to make food but don’t expect to pay their school fees with it because that’s not money; and that is why I work here as a gardener for this family.

“You know when I go to Apia, I always see old people begging for money on the streets and I say to myself, I’m thankful the rural villages are keeping things in place because you don’t get to see people live this kind of life in our village, or any other village.

“Every family here, as you can see, is trying their best to develop their own families with what they have.

“No one can change the high cost of living -- not even the government we have now -- that is up to the future generations.

“For me, I believe we are not in slavery because we have choices. We have the land and the sea to depend on. 

“But there’s nothing wrong with what the government are doing; they are just doing their job so why don’t we just do ours?”

He added: “I mean there are some people who have left the village to go Apia but that’s because they don’t appreciate what they are leaving.

“The village is the safest place for anyone.”

By Aruna Lolani 18 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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