Hardships, struggles driving more Samoans to move out

By Ulimasao Fata 13 December 2017, 12:00AM

More and more Samoan people are migrating overseas to find better prospects for their families.

That’s because hardships and struggles in terms of the cost of living compared to the monies they earn is becoming more and more of a challenge.

This is the belief of Iosefa Fagavili, 37-year-old father from the village of Satuimalufilufi. 

Mr. Fagavili believes life in Samoa is just too hard.

“The Samoan life today is really hard and there is nothing we can do about it to stop getting so expensive,” he said.

“The basic reality of the life we have here now in Samoa is that if you don’t have a regular job and do not work on your plantation, things will not be looking good for you.”

Mr. Fagavili said he used to work before, but now only one person in his family worked.

“I stopped working because no one looks after our house.

“Right now my sister is the only person working and she is supporting our family, together with the help from our other siblings overseas.”

Mr. Fagavili shared on how his family functions and how they cope with the expensive cost of living in Samoa.

“Basically my sister’s work caters for our feed and my small banana patch that we have and also my brother-in-law’s taxi contributes as well.

“Whenever we have family obligations, my siblings overseas send us money to support fa’alavelave, church and our village obligations.”

Mr. Fagavili added we needed to work together to cope with the struggles associated with the high cost of living.

“I do understand that life is hard but the only best way possible to cope with it is when we all come together and support each other.

“For our relatives overseas, that is why they’ve left Samoa the first place, and we thank them for their contribution to their families because things are really hard in Samoa.”

By Ulimasao Fata 13 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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