Tautele Iosefa of Leulumoega is one proud farmer. 

The 20-year-old has been working at the plantation since dropping out of school, three years ago. 

The Village Voice caught up with Tautele right in front of his taro plantation.  In the hot sun he was carrying a box filled with empty foam cups used to store koko Samoa.

Tautele comes from a family of 20 and of his siblings he’s the fourth. One sister works but the adults in his family tend to the plantation.  

“I wasn’t able to finish my education, as getting up in the early morning was a hassle and tiring especially because school is a bit far away from home. 

“So I dropped out and helped my siblings with our farm,” he said. Tautele proudly pointed to his taro and cabbage plantation.  

“As you can see, I have a huge plantation and I also grow cabbages, tomatoes, cucumbers and long beans.”

Tautele sells his vegetables and crops at the market and the money he gets is for his family. 

“The Lord has provided for us daily.Some say that working in a work place is the only way to earn money, but for me, blessings are from hard work. 

Tautai proudly told the Village Voice that each day after selling his crops he earns between $150-$200 a day, it’s enough to support their family with food, bills and more. “That makes me happy, to be able to provide for my parents. They have cared for me and now I am doing the same for them.” 

The young man also has a message for his fellow youth. “I was once in your shoes and I go gallivanting in town and then come back home and look at my parents working hard in our plantation. I thought to myself, this is wrong. My parents gave me life, they cared for me since I was baby and now I am able to work and yet I’m spending my energy on useless things…  that changed my life. 

“Now I cater to my parents and give them what they need, after all blessings do come from parents, ” said Tautele.