Know your role.

As a father, it means everything you do should be about advancing the interests of your family.

Avealalo Afaese Maligi, of Falevao, knows how important it is to provide for his wife and children.

The 49-year-old was approached by the Village Voice when he was mowing the lawn yesterday.

He works as a gardener for one of Falevao’s high chiefs.

“We all have families and we know what that means,” he tells the Village Voice.

“You work to make everything easier for them.

Avealalo and his family are currently staying at his wife’s family land at Falevao.

“I have 3 children; one is attending the National University of Samoa, and another one at Avele College.

“I used to work before but one of our chiefs here was looking for someone who lives close by the village to work and look after these lands.

“It’s good enough for me because it’s not far from home, as my place is just around the corner. 

“So I walk here and back home after work and you know it saves from spending a lot of money on bus fares.”

Avealalo values the work that he has because it’s helping him put food on the table.

“We need to work because we need the money and sometimes for me when it’s not enough, we look at the money from our N.P.F. to help out with what we need especially with the school fees.

“For us here in the rural areas, we can never forget church and village obligations so those are all the things that the money we earn is used for.

“But you know at the moment, I’m happy and thankful that my daughter at N.U.S. has got a scholarship. I feel like a huge load has been lifted off my shoulders.

“The school fee for N.U.S. is really expensive and thanks to this scholarship; my daughter gets free education for three years and she will also have an allowance to support her with her school needs. This is a lot of help and I’m grateful.”