Mother struggles to feed her 10 children

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 05 April 2017, 12:00AM

Sevia Fesoloa’i is a mother of 10 children from the village of Falesi’u. 

She spotted Village Voice yesterday where she shared that even though they have very little, they still are trying.    

“I have 10 children and six of them are in school,” Sevia said. 

“My family lives off my eldest son’s earnings and that’s all we have.”

“Our plantation food is not for sale; it only provides us with food.”

“You see, my everyday duties are just your average chores. I just get my kids ready for school then I prepare the food for my small three kids at home before cleaning up the land.”

Sevia is struggling to make ends meet with what her eldest son earns from mowing lawns while her husband is out working in his plantation. 

“The truth is, we are earning just enough to get by each day, but our family also has to deal with obligations.” 

“We face too many things for the money we earn,” she said. 

“Village obligations are twice a month, church obligations are contributed every fourth Sunday of a month, schools cost for children and basic needs for the family are every day. The money we make is just not enough.” 

Another hardship faced by the family is the fact the mother is always worried about the future of her kids. 

“I know we have enough to get by but I’m still worried about the future of my kids.”

“Soon, my eldest son is going to have a family of his own and who will be providing for us financially?”  

“I want to find a job but as I say Im the only one looking after them and I can’t leave my small kids alone.” 

Therefore no matter how hard it gets, Sevia prioritizes the future of her children. 

“My children are all in school, and no matter how poor we are I prioritize my children’s schooling especially my second eldest who is attending N.U.S.” 

“I want them all to grow up and have better life than we have now.

I want each and every one of them to have good jobs in the future.”

“They know how tough life is right now so they should choose a different path so they don’t have to struggle.”  

According to this mother, her family and a lot of poor people are abandoned by the government.”   

“You see the government isn’t providing any assistance to families like us,” she said. 

“I’m not saying that they are responsible for us but at least pay more attention to families who really need help.”

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 05 April 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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