Everyone has dreams.

“I’m going to be a farmer in the future,” says 17-year-old student, Mangere Su’a of Apia.

Mangere is attending Avele College.

In an interview with the Village Voice, Mangere said that his interest in following his dream began at a very young age.

“Back in the days, I used to walk across a plot of unused land and I was thinking to myself, what if I covered that land with taro or any kind of vegetables in the future?

“But then I thought to myself, or, a house with this kind of land at my backyard where I can grow my own plants...and these ideas slowly grew into my ambition to be a farmer.

 Mangere said that attending college made him even more determined to follow his dream

“At the end of my primary level, my classmates were discussing what they planned to do in the future.

 “Some wanted to be doctors, others teachers, lawyers, accountants...

“They asked of me, ‘Mangere, what do you want to do in the future?

“Then I paused and laughed and told them that I want to study Agriculture and Horticulture because I’m going to be a farmer.

“When I started at Avele College, that’s when I’ve decided to take Horticulture so that I could learn more of how to start vegetable gardens, do a plantation and learn about other farming methods.

Mangere added that without dreams, life will be meaningless.

 “I’m pretty sure that these days aren’t easy to live because of the increasing cost of living so realising my dream while I’m still at school age is a must.

 “I know it’s not easy to go out there and start a farm, there are challenges along the way but I’ll make sure I’m not going to let them get to me.

“I also understand that being a farmer is not just about going in the fields and sleeping under the banana tree or the shadow of the ta’amu leaves.

“It is about hard work, it is about enjoying what I’m planning ahead despite knowing the difficulties.

 “My parents expect a lot out of me and I think I have a good dream for the future and this will keep me going.

 “This plan will make something out of myself after school for a better life and most importantly, to help my parents and my family.

“At home, I share my experiences from school with my parents and siblings in the hopes, that one day I’ll cut out the talking and work hard.

“There’s a saying that ‘all our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.

“It’s all about dreaming now and working your way through;  don’t wait until the next day.”