Money struggles holding back family development

By Ulimasao Fata 09 December 2017, 12:00AM

Financial poverty is real and is a common cause of hardship for many families in Samoa.

While food is not an issue, getting money continues to be a massive challenge for many families.

So says Toetu Matai’a Tuloto, 23 years old, from Matafa’a. 

Mr. Tuloto met the Village Voice team while on his way home from work yesterday afternoon. Mr. Tuloto shared about the struggles his family faces.

“The place we’re staying in, only two families live there and there is no transportation,” he said.

 “The bus stops down the hill from us and we have to walk down to catch the bus and walk up when we return.

“The reality with our family is that finding money is really the issue because I am the only person who earns money for our family.

“I do work for one of the village member’s plantation and I get $50 whenever I go work there.

“The problem then is that I don’t work every day, I only go when I’m needed and that’s the sad part.”

Mr. Tuloto mentioned that since his father passed away, he is the one who is in charge of supporting his family.

“My father passed away in 2014 and that was my last year in high school so I quit and started working to earn a living for my family.

“We always have food but then money is always an issue to pay our bills and for my youngest sibling’s education.”

Mr. Tuloto also mentioned that his family depends on the sea and the plantation for food.

“Food to us is not a problem because my plantation is our  main source of food and my younger brother is the one who gets us food from the sea.”

He admitted that he wants to get a regular job so he can support his family financially.

“I am O.K. with what I am doing right now, but the only problem is that it is not regular work, I only go when I am needed.

“But I am interested in finding a regular job so that I can earn as much as I can to support my family,” Mr. Tuloto said. 

By Ulimasao Fata 09 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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