The importance of living in rural areas

By Aruna Lolani 16 July 2017, 12:00AM

Sapatu Pili, from the village of Vaovai Faleali’i, is sure about one thing. 

Although living in the village brings many challenges, the peace and calmness enjoyed by all is without doubt. 

One issue the villagers face are the many different expenses and not having enough money to cover them all.

 Aged 54, Sapatu say these are issues that the Apia area doesn’t have that we have.  

“There are many changes these days in Samoa,” he told the Village Voice. 

“Life is moving so fast and it makes life a bit tougher for many families living in the villages. One of the issues we face as I said has got to do with money; families don’t generate enough income to cover all the needs they have.” 

“But thank goodness we still have ways to make money to deal with all the expenses going on in villages." 

Sapatu says the only thing that falls heavy on all parents’ minds is how to get money to deal with the schooling expenses and still have enough to put food on the table." 

“It’s the same every year for families living out here,” he said. 

“We try our best to work as hard as possible to find money to deal with the children’s schooling. That’s how it is for us. The only thing on our minds is how we are going to take care of our families.” 

“All the extra expenses add on to the expenses of putting food on the table.”

Despite the fact that life is all about the money Sapatu is determined about one thing which is peace. 

“That is the simple explanation of life here,” he said. 

“Every village member is working together to maintain and develop families. The only place you find curfews and traditions is back here in the village." 

“You don’t find it anywhere but in the societies in rural areas."  

He says he would not want to live anywhere else but his village. 

“On the bright side, life here is great,” he said. 

“Growing up in these rural villages, you become accustomed to the lifestyle here and we are just not used to the urban, western type living."

“The way I see it, there is so much we have that the town area doesn’t have." 

“That’s why I prefer living out here to living in the urban areas."

“Not only we have pawpaw and other crops growing around our house so we don’t need to go buy anything from the market but the way people live is free and easy.”.  

“It’s also very peaceful out here.” 

By Aruna Lolani 16 July 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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