Being the only 30-year-old in a classroom that is mostly occupied by teenagers was quite embarrassing at first, but it challenged the man who failed his studies before, due to wrong decisions.
Tooolefua Fuamai Samuelu is the son of Reverend Fuamai Samuelu and Rosa Samuelu. He attended Marist Brothers Primary School at Mulivai, later on entered year-nine level at St Joseph’s College, and pursued year 10 and 11 in Samoa College.
In 2007, the family migrated to the United States due to his father’s passion to upgrade his knowledge on theological subjects, where he (Tooolefua) graduated with a High School Diploma from Berkeley High School in California.
As someone who had been dreaming of becoming an engineer, receiving a full athletic scholarship to attend and play American football for the University of Northern Arizona was the door to study a Degree in Civil Engineering. Unfortunately, his life turned when his inappropriate decisions led to his failure in school.
In an interview with Samoa News Hub, Mr. Samuelu mentioned that it was the worst experience in his life.
In spite of that form of embarrassment, Tooolefua had to flip another page of his life, and joined his village’s Rugby Club (Moataa) in 2013 when his family moved back to Samoa. He told this media that playing rugby at the time was his way of coping with the problems he faced in America. It seemed to be okay at first when he made it to the training squad for the Manu Samoa Sevens, but that was until he was badly injured from one of the tournaments, causing his career to come to an end.
“That time, my life was a mess,” he said.
Nevertheless, the young man did not stop. He stepped out of his comfort zone and applied as an Engineering Officer at Land and Transport Authority’s Procuring and Programming Division. It went well and helped him get back on track, refocusing on his passion for civil engineering.
After about 8 years with L.T.A, he secured a senior position but to pursue higher paid positions, he was told that he needed to go back to school and further his studies within the respective field.
At the age of 30, he started a family of his own which came with additional roles that required commitment, especially when he had two young boys. Tooolefua shared that it nearly discouraged him to keep fighting to accomplish his dream.
Fortunately, it was in 2019 when his prayers were finally answered, and it was the turning point of his life. His application for an opportunity to study in Melbourne Victoria at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) was successful. This time, he would try once again for something he failed to achieve decades ago.
‘‘During that time, I was old enough to sit together with 18-year-old students in the same learning environment and it was quite odd, but just like the saying that goes, slow but sure. I felt encouraged to continue fighting no matter what, because I my future is in my hands.”
“I returned home during Covid-19 and worked as a junior engineer for OTT CONSTRUCTORS Co. Ltd where I was equipped with more necessary skills and good experience.”
Just when his wife got an opportunity to study in the same University as him, he managed to complete his study in his last year in university, then he was awarded with a Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Degree (Honours) Degree.
According to Mr. Samuelu, “During the graduation, my tears spoke on behalf of my mouth. I couldn’t speak. I thought to myself, now I can sit back and say, “FINALLY, I got this piece of paper.”
He wanted to relay a powerful message to the readers of this story, that your age, your family, your roles, your problems and even your failures should never be a reason why you will not be able to put the whole picture that had been in your mind into reality.
He immediately thanked his family, his parents and siblings, not forgetting his team that he had been fighting with, his supportive wife Kueni Alatimu Samuelu, and his three sons. Inspired by a father who loved furthering his studies, Mr. Samuelu hopes to let his journey touch the hearts of his children, as well as everyone who will get to read his story.
He was born in Faleapuna where his parents used to serve for six years in the EFKS church, and this is where he got his name, as in accordance with the village’s tradition, any Pastor’s son who is born in the village should be given the name, ‘Tooolefua’.
“Keep in mind that you are not a ‘Failure’, but an ‘Achiever’ instead,” Tooolefua Fuamai Samuelu.