Pineapple farmer enjoys fruits of his labour

By Aruna Lolani 17 May 2017, 12:00AM

Success is measured differently for different people.

For the majority, it is that moment in time when you’re enjoying the fruit of your labour.

Vaovai Fa’amanatu, a 28- year-old pineapple farmer of Afega agrees.

Vaovai and his two siblings work hard to develop the pineapple plantation that their parents started from scratch.

“I’m thankful that my parents started this development because it turned out to be something that’s valuable to our family,” he says to the Village Voice.

 “My siblings and I are proud to continue what our parents have worked so hard for.”

Vaovai is the third child of eight children and only three of them chose to stay and look after their pineapple farm.

“It takes about a month for these pineapples to become developed and good enough to eat.”

“When they are ready, we pack them up and take them to the market to sell them off to people at the price of $3-00 and $4-00.”

“Our income from these fruits is around one thousand tala a week.”

“We sell it at the market and also people can order from us if they want to.”

“We wouldn’t be able to do what we do now if we didn’t witness how hard our parents sweat to make this work.”

“And I couldn’t do this if I didn’t have my sister and brother to help me with everything.”

“We are a team and teamwork always lightens up a heavy load, right?”

Vaovai said this is his expertise and he would spend the rest of his life making it better everyday. 

“I can’t picture myself working somewhere else, I’m comfortable here and I love working and knowing that I’m working on something that my parents have invested a lot of their energy and efforts into.”

“It was work for them, it’s hard for us now but the good thing about it, we are eating from it and making money from the fruits of our own labour.”

By Aruna Lolani 17 May 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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