Change of Attitude Best Christmas Present for Family

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 23 DECEMBER 2021: There is no better gift to give to a family in the festive season than a change of attitude and perspective towards life and how it’s should not be taken for granted.

This was the testimony of Aneti Poutasi of Tanugamanono after 6 weeks in the Samoa Victim Samoa Group (SVSG) Anger Management rehabilitation programme.

Aneti Poutasi is facing the charge of issuing foul and threatening words to his sister-in-law and awaiting the Court ruling.

When the matter was mentioned in Court, he was referred to SVSG rehabilitation program for a certain time and the report from the program will determine a sentence for him come February 2022.

At the time of the incident, Poutasi was under the influence of alcohol and he admitted issuing harsh words to his sister-in-law.

“Being in the program, I realise that what I did was stupid and wrong,” Poutasi admitted.

Although he did not physically assault the victim, he came to realise during the program that verbal abuse is much worse than physical abuse, because wounds heal while abusive words remains in your mind.

“I am remorseful and ashamed of my actions and I do not want what I did to be done to my children,” he said.

Reconnect with family
The program did more to change Poutasi’s attitude towards life, it has reconnected him with his wife, children and siblings.

His daily life is surrounded by work and in the evening with friends and little time spent with his family.

Aneti Poutasi – a renewed man

The festive season is a time for families to get together, but for Poutasi and some of his relatives and friends, it has always been a time to party and enjoy life to the fullest.

“The program taught me a different lesson of respect, joy and fulfilment of life,” he said.

Poutasi always found happiness when with friends but once at home, he would pick on little things, yelled at his children or argued with his wife on insignificant things.

Although they live together, Poutasi always yearned for a different company and when he is not out with friends, he’s watching movies on his mobile phone.

“We live together but we are very distant,” he said.

Since the program, I have spent more time talking with my wife, share our daily experiences with my children, share chores which keep my mind away from alcohol,” he said.

He has shared his experience from the program with his family and friends.

Respect women and children
Ending violence against women and children is one of the issues he has wasted very little or no time on until he stood before a Judge and participated in the rehabilitation program.

“Little things could trigger a bigger problem, but learning how to handle it is something I never experienced before, and this program has taught me so much especially on how to react to things,” said Poutasi.

His message to alcohol lovers, “do not let alcohol dictate your life, but you dictate alcohol.”

Poutasi now puts his hand up and support the call to end violence against women. He said women and children need to be respected and not taken for granted.

He said that whilst he may not have much wealth to provide for his family’s festive season celebration, but a change of heart, a change of attitude and seeing life differently, is the best Christmas gift he believes he can give his wife and children.

“You do not need to go and find happiness elsewhere, because there is happiness within your own family and you need to set a routine and be creative to keep it going,” said a renewed Poutasi.