“With the sea and land, we have plenty”

By Aruna Lolani 05 May 2017, 12:00AM

It’s a typical day in Samoa. You fish in the morning then you hit the plantation to fetch crops for the day’s meals.

That’s the life of Aiga Maselino from Solosolo.

He is a fisherman and a planter for his family. No one in his family has a formal job but he does his best to provide daily sustenance.

Aiga said he is motivated by his children leading him to work hard for his family.

 “All of my kids are in school,” he said. “I don’t want to see my kids not going to school because I can’t afford to pay their fees.

“So that’s why I do what I do. We know that life nowadays is tough and rough for some families like my family where no one works. But that’s why we have the land and sea.

 “I work on the plantation for days getting taro and banana for our family meals in the evening.

“When I’m not at the plantation, I go fishing.

“Sometimes, I prefer fishing because I know very well that I earn more and enough money from fishing than selling the stuff from the plantation.”

Aiga said people are always looking for fish and that makes his life easy.

 “Fishing income covers everything in my family which means it’s enough. 

“First things first are for my children’s school fees, water and electricity bills.

 “I also sell crabs and others sea creatures at the market and our village as well. Sometimes I take orders.”

Aiga understands that these are challenging times.

But he is optimistic.

 “The cost of living is very expensive compared to the olden days,” he said.

 “But we can’t just complain. God gave us different talents so we can look after ourselves and our families. The natural resources were given to us for a reason.”

 “Don’t just wait around. That’s the problem with our people today they get tired and lazy and complain when they can easily make money by working with whatever they have. With the sea and the land, we have plenty.”

By Aruna Lolani 05 May 2017, 12:00AM

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