Do not give up and you will reap the rewards

By Nefertiti Matatia 18 November 2017, 12:00AM

Hard work pays off.

Here’s a fact though. You need to be patient to reap the fruit of your labour.

Valentino Tumua, a father of five, who lost his wife nine years ago, knows this.

Speaking to the Village Voice, he said he is a happy man because despite the challenges, his children are now all working.

“My wife passed away in 2008 and at the time my youngest child was only 13 years old,” he said. 

“It was hard to put them through school and do the entire house work when their mother passed away.”

The 60-year-old said now his children are the ones working and providing for him.

He knows that if he had not been persistent and worked hard, it could have been different.

Being a single parent was the best decision he has ever made for various reasons.

“I never wanted my children to go through any trouble of having a stepmother because I know for sure that along the way she will get angry and mention the fact that it is not her children so why would she bother.”

He added he was able to focus on his children alone and their welfare despite the advice he received from his friends.

Valentino said life was never easy and it was a struggle trying to make it to where he was now. 

He said he would constantly loan so he would be able to provide for his children.

Valentino believes all sacrifices he had made in the past have been  rewarding and he knows that he would not have been able to make it through without the help of God.

He said one of the reasons why some familes have problems was because people remarry.

“Although your spouse has passed away and you could marry again, it will never be the same, problems will always arise whether we like it or not.”

Valentino has eight grandchildren and he is content with the work he has done for his children.

By Nefertiti Matatia 18 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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