Doing what I do best to take care of the family

By Sarafina Sanerivi 30 December 2016, 12:00AM

Many say that even if you can’t find employment, there are many options you can take to look after your family, one option being a farmer’s life.

And that is exactly what Kelemete Aukustina, from the village of Fasitoo-Uta, has done.

Aged 32, Kelemete found his passion in tending his plantation. Even with many in his family holding steady jobs, the young man still does his part with providing his homegrown crops for every day meals.

“My daily chores consist mainly of trips to my plantation nearby,” he told the Village Voice.

“I go early in the morning to do some work in the plantation and check how the crops are looking before I come back and do the meals for the family.

“Throughout the year it’s just trips to the plantation and back but now that the New Year is just around the corner, I am just doing a few small chores to make the house and land look a bit better.”

During harvest, Kelemete admits that he doesn’t sell any of his crops; his role in the family is to provide the fresh root crops and vegetables for his family’s consumption.

“I don’t sell my crops,” he began.

“I just use it for my family’s consumption because there are many people in my family who are currently employed; I just do my part with my plantation.

“When it comes to taking care of your family, there are times when it gets tough but there are also times when things get a little easier; as long as you work hard, that’s all that counts.”

And now that he is taking a little break from his plantation work, Kelemete says that his chores during the holiday season is to just keep everything neat as they enter into the New Year.

“After the holiday season, I am just cleaning up around and doing some chores in my family,” he said.

“Christmas was great, it was peaceful and everything seemed to be in order with no trouble at all. I just had some rest and relaxed with my family.

“I am my family’s biggest helper and I work hard to do what I can to provide for those I love. For me, I like doing my best to serve my family and working hard in whatever chore I do around the house.

“When it comes to family, serving them is most important.”

Asked about any issues in the area, Kelemete says that the only problems they have comes about when people abuse alcohol or narcotics.

“The only issues we face in my area is mainly the youth,” he said.

“We try our best to discourage the abuse of alcohol and other narcotics because when they have a bit too much, they walk around causing trouble and making noise along the road.

“It affects many people in my area so we try our best to minimize the problem. Other than that, there aren’t many problems we face here in our peaceful village.”

By Sarafina Sanerivi 30 December 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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