It’s a tough life for Sauileone and family

By Ilia L. Likou 29 November 2017, 12:00AM

You know life is hard when you sleep with a heavy heart, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. 

That’s how Sauileone Fa’atauma’oe of Toāmua-uta describes the hardships he faces in raising his family every day.

The 51-year-old father has five children and the eldest is six years old.

“To be honest, our family is struggling every day and we hardly have food for my children,” Sauileone said.

“Luckily, we have those who have always helped us some days in terms of food, but that’s the reality we are living from day to day.”

Sauileone was spotted by the Village Voice team while on his way home from work yesterday morning.

“I work as security at one of the companies at Nu’u Fou,” Sauileone said.

With only $20 he earns fortnight after loan deductions, “I can’t stretch it to another day,” he said. 

 “It’s so hard to live with only $20 to survive every week, I mean the $20 I earn from my salary after loan deductions never makes it to the next day.”

He said he had loan money from the bank to pay for their electricity and water bills. 

“When we first moved here not long ago, I told my wife that we needed electricity and water and that’s why I made a loan to pay it all before connections, and it costs me a lot of money, thinking if there’s no tea for a day, at least we have water to drink.”

The thoughts that run wild in his head all the time is, “where am I going to get food for my children”. 

Even with a job he is always in dismay. 

“The truth is that I don’t want to see my children and family go a day without food and that’s why I keep on trying even though I can’t make it most of the time.

“We all know that no head of any family would want to see his family go without food and often or not, it is these very people who carry the biggest burden in their own hearts.”

He says his family has had it with the expensive cost of living in Samoa.  

“Trying to meet daily expenses is too much for our family but I know this is the only way I can at least try to get through in this life,” he said.

“We never meet our family’s basic needs because money is always tight, as I’ve mentioned earlier, the only time I see money is when I get paid, then the next hour it’s all gone.”

Sauileone claims the biggest challenge in trying to earn a decent living and giving his family a good life is the cost of living being so high.

“That’s the problem now and I know many of the family are struggling as well and for our family, we really need help with food.” 

Despite his many attempts to look happy and normal, his children are always aware that he is tired of their family situation. 

“They ask, but I try to ignore them and act as if everything is okay, but in my heart there’s so much I want to do in order for them to become better adults in the future.” 

Sauileone’s says his children and his belief that God is alive motivate him to continue working. 

By Ilia L. Likou 29 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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