We are stronger together

By Vatapuia Maiava 27 September 2016, 12:00AM

We’ve heard it time and time again. A bunch of sticks is stronger than just one standing alone.

But the concept of this quote is far too important to say just once.

For Karolina Taga from the village of Sale’imoa, working together is the key to success. Aged 40, she spends much of her time in the Fugalei market selling crops for a living.

“Samoa needs to work as one,” she said.

“If we don’t work together then we won’t get anywhere. If a father and mother don’t come as one to take care of the family then the children’s future will suffer.

“My husband gets weak at times and that’s why I push myself; the hard work I do will take the load off of his shoulders.

“I try and stay strong with everything I do every day because I know that when everyone does their part together then we will do ok.”

Karolina believes everyone is blessed with a talent and gift. For her, its working the plantation.

“This is the work I do; I work hard in the plantation then I bring my crops to the market to sell to,” she said.

“The money I make helps my family a lot with the things we need to do within the family every day such as the church and village commitments.”

Karolina works very hard finding all the motivation she needs in the people she loves.

“I have six children and this is the work I do to look after my family; especially my children,” she said.

“Although my family doesn’t have much I still push my children to go to school. They are my motivation to work hard with what I do because I want them to have a good life. My family has enough to survive on a day to day basis because I work until I reach my limits.”

Even with the little her family makes, Karolina relies only on her own strength to work.

“For me personally, I don’t want to rely on anyone else’s strength but my own,” she said.

“I also don’t want to rely on my husband’s pay so I work to do my part as well. When people rely on others too much then nothing good comes out of it.

“High dependence on others isn’t setting a good example for the children.”

But what pushed Karolina to work, often to the limits?

“My one and only priority is the bringing up of my children,” she said.

“I want them to grow up to be strong and know the value of hard work. I want them to understand that because it will be vital for their livelihood.”

Even though she works very hard, she still goes through her own set of struggles every day.

“Don’t get me wrong; I do go through my own set of struggles but I power through them and never let it hold me down,” she said.

“It’s like what I said before; if we work together and have faith in the lord then everything will be ok with your life.

“We should just do our work in an honest manner and wait for the return of Jesus to come and take away all the hardships.”

By Vatapuia Maiava 27 September 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>