Struggles push us to work harder

By Deidre Fanene 24 January 2017, 12:00AM

Sometimes we ought to put aside our pride and do what needs to be done, especially when it comes to looking after our families and children.

Ask 47-year-old Sose Filipi of Satapuala and that is what she will tell you.

When the Village Voice caught up with Ms. Filipo at her stall opposite the airport at Faleolo she was selling green coconuts, banana chips and fruits. She was with her daughter Pogai Filipo.

“As a mother I will do anything and everything to make sure my children and family are happy,” she told the Village Voice.

“I want my children to know that nowadays they can never rely on anyone they have to be independent.

“I want them to know that nothing in life is easy and if they want something in life they have to work for it.”

When asked about her thoughts on the cost of living Ms. Filipo said it is sky rocketing.

“The cost of things is high up in the sky but it doesn’t match with the amount of money that people are earning,” she said.

“How are we able to live in a country as small as this and yet the cost of things are sky rocketing it just doesn’t make any sense.”

But Ms. Filipo said there’s nothing we can do about it because the government makes the decisions.

“All we can do is complain but there’s nothing much we can do because we are living in a country that is a one party government there’s no opposition that opposes the decision making of the government so I guess we just have to live with it.”

Speaking about her stall the 47-year-old said she earns more money than a person who works in the office.

“For working people they have to wait till the end of the week to get paid but for me I get paid every day,” she said.

“If the market is good I get $200 a day but if it’s slow then I get a little under $200tala which is good because that money helps me with church commitments, village and my children.

“It’s good money and I prefer owning a stall than having to work under another person because I can be my own boss and I don’t have to worry about what time I wake up or have a break.

“That’s what’s good about owning a stall and I truly believe that I am richer than most of the people working in office.”

By Deidre Fanene 24 January 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>