It’s been said that education is the key to a successful life. 

For Jeremiah Leo of Falelauniu, life has taught him the importance of education. 

But instead of a successful life, his academic struggles are the reasons for his daily struggles. 

The unemployed young farmer completed his education in 2017 but sadly, things did not go according to his father’s plan. 

Speaking to the Village Voice team yesterday, he shared his desire for a job to help his family. Being the youngest of three siblings, he’s tasked with looking after their parents in their old age. 

“I really need a job so that I could help my family,” Mr. Leo said. 

“There are not many people who work in my family. I have tasted life and it is hard. Seeing my father work all the time to provide for our family is not easy.”

His older brother is the only one who works, but he also has a family of his own to care for. 

Mr. Leo says he helps his brother through their plantation, but Tropical Cyclone Gita destroyed almost everything on their plantation.

“I want any job that is available because I need to start somewhere. Life is hard and everything is costly.

“I used to work for a business that did clean ups and it was good. I didn’t work anymore because there wasn’t any work every day. We only went like once or twice a week.”

Mr. Leo has so many unfulfilled dreams.

“Now I am working the land and it is hard. I want to rewind time to correct the mistakes I made.

“That mistake all goes back to when I was in school. I didn’t know that life was going to be this hard. I didn’t study hard and do my studies right.

“If I did well then, maybe by now I would have been in university, then from there it would open up new doors. It creates a pathway that could lead me to having a better life to support my family. To be able to earn a scholarship that would result in having a better job.”

He explained: “Right now I am just staying home and working the land. I am growing crops for my family to eat.

“I believe that blessings are found anywhere if I work hard and be committed to it. I have realised that nothing in life comes easy and we will never have everything given to us, we must work.

“One thing is certain and that is prayer is the key to open the door of opportunities.”

For anyone who is willing to help Mr. Leo, contact the number 7780661.