Life is great for handy man

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 21 December 2017, 12:00AM

Mataio Aulemoe, 41, of Nu’u is a father of eight. He is self-employed and he enjoys being his own boss. 

His job involves fixing radio, washing machines, television and electric appliances.

“I am actually making my way to one of the families who contacted me about their washing machine,” he said.

“This is the good thing about being your own boss; you don’t have to worry about anyone.

“For me, people contact me and so I help them by fixing their stuff and they pay me.”

Mataio said the money he receives from his work goes to looking after his eight children.

“Four of my children are already in school and the other four will start school next year,” he said.

“If the days are good, I get over $200 per day and if not, I get $100 a day, but I’m still happy because I believe that I make more money in a day than some of the office people who work the whole week and they get $200 for a whole week.

“At the moment schools are on holiday and so I am working extra hard to make sure that there is money put away for the children, so when school starts again there is enough there for their school work and their tuition.”

Mataio added family means everything to him, especially his children.

“My children are my main priority,” he said.

“They are the reason I do what I do.

“This God-given talent has helped me in so many ways, especially financially.

“I don’t want my children to be needy, I want them to know that their father has worked so hard to ensure that they are in school and they have food on the table.

“Nowadays we can’t depend on anyone, even if they are family, you have to work hard for your own family and that is why I do what I do.

“I know I’m not a smart person and I wasn’t really a bright child in school, but I guess everyone is good at something and for me, this is what I am good.

“And as long as this work provides for my family and put my children through school I am happy.

“I know I’m struggling now, but I always think of how blessed my wife and I will be when they all grow up and get good jobs.

“That is the advantage of all of these and the hard work we do at the moment because one day we will just sit at home while the kids go to work and provide for us.”

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 21 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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