Father and his family depend on tree of life

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 14 February 2017, 12:00AM

They say the coconut is the tree of life.

For Ofisa Lealofi, 51-year- old father from Aopo Savai’i and Alafua, that is literally the case.

The father of three sells green coconuts for a living. At $2 a coconut, Ofisa can make up to $100 a day depending on how many coconuts he can fetch.

It’s not that easy though.

At his age, Ofisa is finding it tough to climb the coconuts.

And when the weather becomes challenging, fetching the coconuts become a matter of life and death.

But Ofisa knows that this is the reality.

 “I keep telling myself that if I don’t work my family will starve,” he said.

“This is why I never give up.” 

Ofisa, like many people, say the cost of living is astronomical.

“It’s too expensive,” he said. “Ten tala is nothing these days.”

But his attitude is refreshing.

“We have to keep working.

 “We will just end up being victims if we don’t do anything about it.  If you just wait for others to do the work for you, you will end up struggling in life. 

“What I’m trying to say is to never let the cost of living discourage you from working. Consider working on your own land. Do what’s best and let God do the rest.” 

Ofisa sells green coconuts for six days a week.

 “This is why I love doing what I’m doing because I get paid every day,” he said.  

“You see everything begins with love and love comes from family. The parents, especially the father’s top priority is to provide for his family.

“We all need to continue on developing and working together to overcome struggles.

 “The struggle is real but so are the blessings.”

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 14 February 2017, 12:00AM

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