A proud fisher and farmer

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 15 February 2018, 12:00AM

Supporting family is what Iulai Su’a lives for. 

The 39-year-old of Satapuala is single and nothing makes him happy than to help his family by fishing. 

“I have been fishing since I was a young boy, using the net,” he said.

“We sell our catch to pay for our bills and family obligations. 

“This is my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Iulai proudly. 

“We also have a farm and I work on it every other day.” 

According to Iulai, there is no need to have a regular job when there are other means to get money. 

“I fish and I also sell our produce and we get money. 

“Some days are good and some days are not so good, but I think I make more money than what others are getting, yet they get up at 5am to catch the bus and work five to six days. 

“I mean I’m not bragging, but I can sleep in, get up when I want, but still make more. 

“In Samoa, if you don’t work hard, you don’t get anything and that is why I don’t know why other people are complaining that Samoans live in poverty. 

“Look around you, there’s food on the land, fish in the sea; it’s up to you what to do with it. 

“Nothing is handed to you on a platter; you have to work for it. 

“The question that comes to mind is what poverty?

“I don’t agree with people saying that Samoa is poor, when I know the reason you are poor is because you don’t work.

“What do you expect the fish to come to you and the taro to just grow its legs and dig itself into the ground,” said Iulai. 

He told the Village Voice team that nothing is free in this life. 

He referenced the Bible saying that God told Adam that he must work in order to eat. 

“If that was a directive from God to Adam, why is that we are any different. 

“We may not have brick houses or cars, all the electronics stuff, but we are not poor.” 

Iulai said poverty exists in other countries, but not Samoa. 

“Any Samoan has a family and each and every Samoan family has a communal land. 

“Ask the Chief of your family for land, develop the land, then you can earn a living,” he said. 

Iulai concluded that being a Samoan is a blessing, there’s food everywhere, but people just have to work to get it. 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 15 February 2018, 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.

>