Proud son takes after father

By Aruna Lolani 27 June 2017, 12:00AM

Tovia Tagiloa, of Lauli’i, is enjoying his break from work.

The 51-year-old who works for the Ministry of Agriculture is taking a week off so he can use his annual leave.

He has been working there since 1999 and has enjoyed every minute of it.

 “I was motivated to work there because my dad used to work there,” he said. 

“I’ve been blessed to have the career path that I have and to be able to do what my dad did. 

 “I’ve never missed a day at work. I can’t remember the last time I was sick either. I work full time and I enjoy my job.” 

Tovia said the government is encouraging long serving workers to use their annual leave and it is why he is on a break.

But even on his break, Tovia is restless.

 “Staying home is something new to me and as you can see, I’m not even at my house. I just got back from our plantation. 

“I’m not used to staying home and sleeping so this whole week while I’m on leave, I will be tending my plantation.” 

Family is very important to Tovia.

“If you don’t have a family, you don’t have anything,” he said. 

“We live by these words: faith, family and work. That’s how things are run around here. 

“My father has always been my biggest influence. He is the reason why I work hard because there is not a day that he doesn’t yell at us for sitting around. Even though he left us to be with Jesus, he will always be remembered for all the good things he had done for his family. 

“There’s not a day that I don’t think about him. He is my motivation and I have him in my mind as the greatest example in the world. It’s really humbling for me.” 

Tovia returns to work at Nu’u next week.

By Aruna Lolani 27 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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