Secret to happiness and healthy living

By Ulimasao Fata 27 September 2017, 12:00AM

Tuilau Talavini of Leauva’a is a hard working father.

The Village Voice caught up with Tuilau yesterday while he was taking a break from his work under a banana tree at his plantation at Leauva’a-uta.

It was a hot afternoon but to Tuilau, it was no big deal as he is used to it.

He said he lives in his house in the coastal area of Leauva’a but every day he works at his plantation at Leauva’a-uta.

To him, this is his life and he loves what he does because he believes his family is depending on him.

“I work hard every day to make sure that my family gets to have something on the table for dinner, as well as taking care of my family from the money I make from selling my crops,” he said.

 “Not only that I provide for my family, for me as a person, I love working.

“I get happiness out of witnessing the crops that I’ve planted grow and reach the stage when they are ready to be harvested.”

Tuilau subscribes to the notion that money is buried in the soil. 

 “The Prime Minister once said we have so much money under the soil and I think that is true, we just have to come and do the work,” he said.

He said he learnt the basic skills about survival from his elders.

And now he is nearly 60-years-old, he is passing on those skills to his children and grandchildren.

“I grew up hearing so much from our old folks saying you need to work hard to get whatever you want,” he said. 

“It motivated me so much now because they also said not to grow up and be dependent on someone.”

Tuilau said their plantation is an important source of income.

“This is also where I get money and gifts for family obligations like funerals, title bestowment and so forth,” he said.

 “I’ll be turning 60 next month. 

“But I will not stop working the land because I know I get other benefits from it, including good health and a chance to enjoy this beautiful environment.”

By Ulimasao Fata 27 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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