Why Toloa is desperate for employment

By Nefertiti Matatia 13 January 2018, 12:00AM

Dealing with hardship and poverty within his family is one of the main reasons Toloa Toloa is searching for a job.

The 22-year-old from Faleula-uta spoke about his experiences of being unemployed and the pressure he faces because of his family’s financial situation. 

He is keen to get any job for the sake of his family. 

Mr. Toloa lives with nine family members and only one person is employed. 

“We rely on the land to help our family on a daily basis. My parents are unemployed, it is just my sister’s husband who works, but they have three children and one of them is still a baby. 

“So I understand the demands of raising a child and also trying to look after your whole family which is why I am looking for a job to help out,” he said.

He says any job is good for him.

With school resuming soon, he is faced with the pressure to provide for his younger brother’s school needs. 

“I only have two siblings, my sister who is married and my little brother who is still in school. As men, we are known to be the breadwinners in our families and as my parents are getting older, I feel that having a job will help them a lot,” he added.

Mr. Toloa believes the cost of living in Samoa today is the main reason families are struggling.

“Everything has to do with money. To get food, you must pay, to get electricity, you have to pay, to get water, you have to pay for the bills or else they will disconnect your meter.”

By Nefertiti Matatia 13 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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