Family can’t afford to connect to water supply

By Ulimasao Fata 15 January 2018, 12:00AM

For twenty years, a family at Manono-uta has not had a proper supply of running water. They still have to resort to a well in the village for water.

The problem, according to Leiataua Tamate, is that they cannot afford the installation costs to have the government water supply connected to their house. 

“We have been facing this issue for more than 20 years now and it has been very difficult for us in terms of survival,” the 65-year-old father of five told the Village Voice team yesterday.

Leiataua says other families in the village face the same issue.

 “Government water reaches here, but we don’t have the money to connect the water to our house.

“It is really hard living without water here, only a few families have running water, but most of us here do not have water.”

Leiataua says life is tough enough and living without water makes it harder.

“The life we are experiencing in Samoa today is expensive. Nothing comes easy anymore now; we have to work for everything so we can get something.”

Leiataua shared about how his family collects water every day.

“Well just like every other family around here, we just have to get big containers to collect water when it rains.

“Apart from that, we go all the way to this stream in our village to collect water from there.”

Lei’ataua also shared how his family tackles financial struggles.

“Basically our family doesn’t have anyone who works to support and provide for our family.

“Only my eldest daughter is already married and my other four children are still in school.

“And I think that is why our family still can’t afford to have water because we don’t have anyone to pay for that.

“Food is really not an issue with our family because my younger kids are strong enough to work on our plantation.”

Leiataua adds every dollar he makes goes towards his children’s education.

“School starts again real soon and I would fork out any money I have for the kids’ school fees rather than our water.

“I know it’s really hard to live without water, but I can’t afford any of the kids not going to school.”

By Ulimasao Fata 15 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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