Fa’anita Tautalafua from Aleisa knows why she works hard. It’s all about love.

The 57-year-old runs a stall in her village to provide for her family.

“If you don’t have that kind love for your family and your children, you won’t make it in life,” she told the Village Voice yesterday.

“We all get tired. We all want to rest but what about our families?”

At her stall, she sells all sorts of produces.

 “To be honest, I get tired most of the time but I always want to provide and contribute to the development of my family to the best of my ability.

“Even though sometimes I wouldn’t make much, at least I have $2 for my family.

“I have four sons and they all have jobs in town, all of them earn not more than $200 a week.”

Despite their jobs, the mother insists on doing her bit.

“They contribute to our  daily needs, no matter how big or small they get they make sure to put in for our family. So they help our family in so many ways.

“As I’ve mentioned before – looking at ways to contribute to the development of my family...is a must...this is all about love!”

Love, she believes, is what motivates her to work harder.

“Love is the best thing to have in life, whether you’re a mother, youth, matai, pastor or whatever position you hold.

“If you don’t have it (love) you just can’t carry on and perform your duties to the best you can.

“Very simple rule in love that goes -  if you don’t have any love in your heart  then you won’t be able to make anything to take care of your family.” 

Without love in her heart, Fa’anati says she would have given up long time ago.

“I know family is a gift from God and that’s why I’m pushing myself to do this everyday.

“Our role as mothers in our culture ‘o pae ma le auli’

“To make it real – we need to work on it, knowing who I am in my family is the best feeling ever and I think love binds it all together.

“No matter how tired and sick I am most of the time, my children and my family gives me strength to carry on all the time.”