People who don’t work shouldn’t eat.

That’s what the scriptures say.

It’s something Pelenato Saena, 32, Tuanai and Satupaitea, Savai’i, strongly believes.

The father of three works at M’n’P at Vaitele and whatever he makes, he uses it to raise his family.

 “As you see I have three kids, two are in school,” he said.

“I’m grateful I have a job but this money is not enough when it comes to the school fees because it’s so expensive.”

But Pelenato has no choice.

Life is what it is.

 “As a father I have to be strong for my family because no one is providing for us,” he said.

Pelenato, like many people, agree that the cost of living has become unbearable.

 “Every parent struggles finding money for their children,” he said.

“Not all families have everything meaning not all families are the same. Some are weak but some do have lots of money to make things work. Compared to our family, I’m the only one who works to provide everything.”

Pelenato said his wife is looking for a job.

But there are not enough jobs out there.

“The truth is, we try to budget money but we can’t do that,” he said.

“When money comes, it immediately disappears.”

As for his belief that people shouldn’t eat if they don’t work, he said there are far too many freeloaders in Samoa who rely and abuse the generosity of others.

He believes that everyone should earn their living – including their food.