Hard labour for women? Why not says Koko

By Aruna Lolani 26 September 2017, 12:00AM

Who said women can’t do everything?

Koko Itila from Nofoalii will prove you wrong. 

The 39-year-old was working the land and collecting coconuts yesterday when she was approached by the Village Voice for an interview.

“Working the plantation is easy for me,” she said. “I do this with my husband everyday. 

“In my own belief, a mother’s purpose is not just to her children but also to her husband as well. This is why I have grown to love doing this kind of work because I know I’m helping out my husband.

“We collect coconuts, koko and even bananas and then sell it off to earn a living.

“The work is all worth it because the money we earn all goes to my kids’ welfare and education. Not only that, but also for a pound of sugar and salt when needed.”

Koko and her husband have four beautiful kids and are all in school.

“My eldest is attending Leififi College while my little ones are currently in the village’s primary school.

“They are the reason why we work hard with what we have. I mean my husband and I have been staying here for about 20 years now and that is how long we have been farmers.”

Koko used to work before at Frankie’s Wholesale. She also spent some time being a shopkeeper at one of her relatives shop.

“During that time; I asked myself, ‘why work elsewhere when we can make money right where we were?

“We have 19 acres of land and I couldn’t let my husband do all the work by himself.

“So now that I am working as a farmer, not only I get to make my own money in the fastest way, I now have more time to spend with my kids.

“This money covers everything that we need. I’m aware of the expensive cost of living but at least we can afford to pay for our water and electricity which some people do not have. That is something that the government should emphasize though; people without water access especially; must be helped.

“Doing farming for a living seems enough for us and we use it for a good cause. 

“I think every mother can do this. If I can work the plantation, why can’t they?”

By Aruna Lolani 26 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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