Money or no money, if you have peace, joy and love in your heart, God will take care of the rest.

This is the view of Teni Leu of Malie.

The 43-year-old is not rich but he said he would give anyone a run for their money when it comes to peace and joy.

Teni relies on his plantation and vegetable garden to provide for his family.

 “My family is doing alright and we have enough to survive,” he told the Village Voice. 

“We have a plantation at the back where we can grow food and some vegetables. This is where our money comes from. I stay at home to take care of the house chores and our plantation.” 

Teni says most of the money is spent on their children because they are his priority.

 “I know the same goes for many people in Samoa. A lot of our spending goes to the children,” he said. 

“Taking care of all their needs is very expensive especially these days but we are doing okay. All four of my children are in school right now and I’m grateful they have the opportunity to learn.”

Teni is also grateful he has access to water and electricity.

 “We moved here for quite a while now,” he said.

 “Everything is going great for us, we have good running water and we also have electricity. 

“We don’t have many problems unless were out of money then we struggle.”

As for peace and joy, Teni said these have nothing to do with money. 

“It’s a decision,” he said. “We choose to be peaceful and happy despite the circumstances.

 “The great thing about living in a village like this is the chance we have to make a living.

“We have land that we can grow crops on. It’s great because it helps us deal with the ongoing problem of the expensive cost of living.”