Father talks about life of hardship

By Ulimasao Fata 11 January 2018, 12:00AM

Life’s a struggle but we must keep working hard. 

So says Lolo Tofele, 42, from the village of Vailele-uta. 

Mr. Tofele is a father of four children with two attending school and the other two still at home. Mr. Tofele says life has been tough for him and his family.

“We are struggling here so bad in terms of money because my wife and I don’t have regular jobs to support our family,” he said.

“We earn money by selling koko esi, Samoan cocoa and vegetables in our small canteen.”

“Because we don’t earn that much around here in our place, we just eat anything that is available for us in our plantation and then a cup of tea.”

Mr. Tofele said electricity supply was good except for water.

“We already have water connection here for our house, but the problem is that we hardly have water around here.”

“It was off for three days ago up until today (yesterday). So that’s why we are grateful for the rain now because it provides us with water.”

“The electricity is not a problem here because we have an electrical wire connected to our house.  The pots out there are used for collecting rainwater.”

Mr. Tofele also shared about their family’s financial status.

“I’ve got to be honest that here in our small family, we don’t have that much, as long as our four kids get to have something good, then that will do.”

“School will kick off again soon and I am not looking forward to that because I will also need money.”

“My canteen is also closed because school is on break and the only way I earn money right now is by selling a few crops.”

Mr. Tofele says their house is not safe, especially when we’re into the cyclone season.

“This was the only house I could afford when we decided to move here.”

“I’ve been thinking of repairing it, but I don’t have the money for it.”

“Life is really hard for us because we live in a small hut with my family and we struggle with money and water issues as well.”

If you are willing to help Mr. Tofele’s family, they can be contacted on mobile phone number 7759322.

By Ulimasao Fata 11 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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