By Ulimasao Fata , Samoa Observer
WORK HARD TO ALLEVIATE STRUGGLES: Fa’alele Misi.
Samoa has undergone considerable changes compared to the past.
Fa’alele Misi, 70, from Leusoali’i, has seen it all. He has lived through the past six decades to experience these changes.
“The life we have now, if you don’t work you will struggle, but if you do, you will be okay,” Mr. Misi told the Village Voice team yesterday.
The father of five said one major change that impacted the lives of Samoans nowadays is the cost of living.
“The cost of living today is really high and really expensive for most people, especially the ones like me who don’t work.
“The amount of money we spent back then was much less than the amount spent today.
“A lot of changes are happening in Samoa today and it reflects the increasing change in living standard.”
Mr. Misi believes hard work is the key these days.
“If you don’t have a regular job to earn money and support your family, you will struggle to cope with the cost of living.
“If you don’t make use of your plantation, then you will struggle because you really need to work and do something productive.”
Mr. Misi said no one in his family worked.
“I have a son living abroad who usually sends us money whenever we have family obligations and church events.”
Mr. Misi says he enjoys visiting his plantation every day.
“This is what I do every day, I love working and for us, this is the only way we can get food because no one works.
“I also like doing this as an exercise because I’m getting old and this is the only exercise for me.”
Mr. Misi reiterated if we don’t want to struggle, then we have to work.