An elderly woman of Vaimoso-uta has a Christmas message for Samoa’s youth — spend time with your families.

Reflecting on her young life and the challenges Samoa faces, 86-year-old, Siluu Elia, told the Samoa Observer in an interview that the Festive season should not be about going out clubbing but spending more time with family.

“It’s best to remind the children and youth of Samoa that Christmas is not about which club to go to but about spending time with families,” she said.

“I’ve noticed that a lot has changed in the youths of today because of the strong influence of the modern life we’re living in.”

Ms Elia – who is the daughter of Methodist Church Minister, the late Reverend Elia Elia and his wife Meleane Elia – said in her younger days it was always about doing chores at home and then eating midnight after her parents went to bed.

Raised as a pastor’s daughter with the strictest of traditions, she said she never gave up despite being subject to a disciplined lifestyle.

And with the country in the middle of a measles epidemic, she said Samoa’s health crisis is reason enough for youth to stay home and be with their families to pray for the safety of Samoa.

“I know Christmas will be different from all the other years because of the measles we’re going through right now but that’s why I’m saying Christmas is about families,” she said.

Ms. Elia believes her current life as a mother and a grandmother is her reward for living a life that revolves around servitude, and the price of longevity in life is “serving, obeying and committing” to families.

“I know a lot of kids struggle nowadays because the parents don’t care about them anymore. And I know parents gave them freedom because they couldn’t handle the new attitudes instilled in them but as parents, don’t give up!”

Ms Elia’s one wish this Christmas though is to spend time with her children from overseas who will be visiting her.

“Let’s await our saviors’ birthday and the new year with love as I believe in the power of Jesus to heal our country as well with this crisis.”