Subsistence living for Sio’s family

By Ulimasao Fata 15 December 2017, 12:00AM

Money talks. In this day and age, you can’t go far without money. 

It’s something Paulo Sio, 46 years of age, from the village of Faleula knows very well about. 

Mr. Sio says life is hard for his family because there is no one who has a formal job to support them.

“Life is really hard and also there is no one here in our family who works and gets money to support our family financially,” Mr. Sio told the Village Voice team yesterday.

“My wife is responsible for our kids and she is the one who takes them to school every day. We have six young children.

“So that’s where I come in because usually the money we are surviving on is from my peanut garden and beans farm that I grow here behind our house.”

Mr. Sio said he used to work but he opted to focus on his farm for his family’s sake.

“I have opted to stay home because the pay I used to get from working was not that much for my family especially for my children.

“I have started working and developing my farm and things have been good with the money I make from selling peanuts and beans.”

Mr. Sio also mentions that he faces a few challenges.

“One issue I’m facing today with my work is the change in weather patterns and sometimes the heat is not friendly.

“I don’t earn much from the beans compared to what I make from the peanut, but the problem is that peanut farm took me three consecutive months before harvesting.”

Mr. Sio added sometimes he borrowed money from his parents and sisters to support his family.

 “I am struggling and this is the only thing that I am doing to support my family.”

By Ulimasao Fata 15 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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