Words of wisdom from elderly father

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 22 February 2017, 12:00AM

If you want to be great, serve others first.

So believes Fa’alava Iosefa, 67, of Siufaga Falelatai. 

He says this is a lesson young people of today must take on board in they want to be successful. 

“The road to the top is through service,” he said. “Service to church, villages and everyone else.”

Fa’alava stays home to look after his family.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“To tell you the truth there is no work that is more important and pays as well than being a father and taking good care your family.”

“You see, when God blessed me with a family of four kids, I told myself that I’m going to do whatever I can to look after them.”

Most of his time is spent at the plantation.

The fruits of his hard labour bring food and money for their daily sustenance.

 “We sell taro, banana and luau at the market for income,” he said. 

“Sometimes I walk around the village to sell the stuff and we always find money.”

“To be honest it is hard work but it is worth it.”

Fa’alava said sometimes he feels like giving up but he knows he can’t.

“I have a responsibility to my family.”

 “Today we still depend on our plantation and it’s going strong every day.”

“I know for a fact people complain about the expensive cost of living but for me that’s not the case.”

“We are too lazy to work; we depend mostly on technology to do the job for us instead of using our own gifts of knowledge to make it work.”

He believes God gifted Samoans with the knowledge of farming.

“It’s a way of service,” he said.

“To be honest none of my family works. The plantation is our only source of food and income and I thank God that we never go hungry.”

Getting back to the issue of service, he believes the elders have a responsibility to teach the young generations.

“They have to know that if you want to be great and get somewhere, be prepared to work and serve,” he said.

 “Don’t just sit around and wait for something. You’ve got to step up and make a difference.”

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 22 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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