Rest is for the weak, says mother

By Vatapuia Maiava 07 October 2016, 12:00AM

For 70-year-old Losa Siaosi from the village of Salelologa, she believes that rest is for the weak and that hard work is the only road out of being poor.

Losa spends most of her days at the Salelologa market selling produce to make money for the family and she does so with a joyful heart.

“This is the only thing I do, I sell these produce to people who visit the market,” she told the Village Voice.

“The one thing I hold true to my heart is that whatever the Lord gives you, use it well and answer him with joy and thanksgiving.

“Our father gives us life and the strength to go through each day. Every day I work hard and if my grandchildren have enough bus fare to go to school and I have enough money to provide food for the family then that’s enough.

“My daughter helps me a lot and I thank the Lord for her and everything he gives me.”

Losa admits that she doesn’t have much but she still tries her best to help make ends meet.

“Right now I have four grandchildren in my house currently schooling,” she said.

“I don’t have much but I always try and provide as much as I can for those I love. I try and make enough to buy the daily sugar, soap and other basic necessities for the family.

“My family is what motivates me to come here every single morning.”

According to Losa, she is no stranger to the market life.

“I have been doing this type of work for a very long time now,” she said.

“I started when the old market was being used closer to the coastal area. I have never had a roadside stall. This is where I have been making money for a long time now.

“On good days I would make about $100 a day, that’s only if there are a lot of sales. On off days I would make only $10 that day.

“This is the life I have lived for so long. I come every morning and lay out some bananas and other products to sell.”

Losa strongly believes in the value of hard work saying that many in Samoa suffer due to laziness.

“I strongly believe that there are a lot of people suffering in Samoa because they don’t work,” she said.

“So many people tell me to rest because I am old but I know that in order to live, you must work. Who has been made poor by the hand of Jesus? No one!”

By Vatapuia Maiava 07 October 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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