16 year old with a positive outlook

By Deidre Fanene 13 February 2017, 12:00AM

This is Sina Tufa, 16-year-old of Vaitele and Falese’ela Lefaga.

Sina told the Village Voice that she is a young girl who has special needs but her ultimate dream is to become a lawyer in the future.

When Village Voice caught up with Sina she was walking on the road with one of her cousins who went to buy some coconuts for the cocoa rice in the evening.

“I used to go to school at Aele Primary School but I only manage to get up to Year 5,” said Sina.

“I have special needs but ever since I was young I have always wanted to be a lawyer.

“But it’s sad because my mother said for me to stay home because she doesn’t want anything to happen to me at school.”

Sina’s motivation to become a lawyer comes from watching law and orders movies.

“I love watching those movies because I am always encouraged by the way lawyers argue their cases in court,” she said.

“Most especially if the lawyer is a female I admire how a female can have so much courage to fight against all the men in court and I always picture myself as that lawyer.

“However, I know I can never get to be that person because of my condition as there will always be that barrier that separates me from normal people.”

So how is life for the 16-year-old?

“Well, it’s hard because I get teased by other kids,” she said.

“They call me names because they think I’m stupid but I’m not it’s just that I have special needs but that’s it. My mind is as sharp as knife and I do understand many things.

“I guess I was created in a different way but other kids are so judgmental but all I think about is how my life would be if I didn’t have what I have.

“But I guess this is just a test for me on how I can handle things that people throw at me and if I can’t handle this, I can never become a lawyer.”

Sina believes that one day her dream will come true.

“I know one day I will fulfill my dream and goal,” she said.

“I just need to prove to the world that even people with special needs can do and become anything they want to be in the future.

“My part to play in order for me to reach my goal is go to school because if I don’t I will never fulfill anything in life.”

By Deidre Fanene 13 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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