Injured father settles for selling niu

By Aruna Lolani 28 June 2017, 12:00AM

Some people find excuses to take days off from work but that’s not the case for Toa Auga’e of Faleula-uta.

Speaking to the Village Voice, Toa said he works as a carpenter and he never misses a day of work but due to a leg injury when he fell over something at work; he was told to stay home until he recovers.

But even now with his leg injury, the 26 year old got up this morning, collected niu from the plantation and made his way to Vaitele to sell these nius to earn some money.

“I still want to work but I can’t do anything if my boss suggests that I rest home until I get better,” he told Village Voice.

“As you can see, my leg doesn’t look too good but I’ve been staying home for two whole weeks, watching one of my children go to school without much.”

“Not forgetting the fact that I have an 8 months old baby, and that’s too much for me to not do anything.”

“I don’t usually come to sell these, but when I do, it’s usually because we need a bit of extra cash for little things like sugar, salt, you know.”

“But today I needed to do this because I can’t stand just looking at my children and not have anything to give.”

“I know any parent would know the feeling that I’m talking about.”

Toa came yesterday with 30 coconuts, selling them for $2.00 each. “My work is what my family relies on for money but ever since I’ve had this injury, we look at our other families for help.”

“We never really depend on selling anything because I had a job. This was only a side job to make extra money and I always come to this spot because a lot of people come to the bank so you know it’s a really good target market. So hopefully by the end of today, these niu would all have been sold.”

“I’m already praying that happens because I’m looking forward to bringing something good to my family today.”

By Aruna Lolani 28 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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