Family needs help with house

By Joyetter Luamanu 18 February 2018, 12:00AM

A mother of seven is seeking help for a decent house to better care for her blind 91-year-old grandmother.

Their shelter is falling apart. 

That is the desperate plea from Iokapeta Tufue Tavete of Nu’u Fou. 

“I have seven children and my husband is the only one who works,” he said. 

“He works on a farm in Aleisa and doesn’t make much, but with that money he’s able to buy food.” 

“I look after my grandmother who is 91-years-old, she’s bedridden and sleeps on a wooden bed.” 

“As much as I want her to be comfortable, but for the life of me, we cannot afford a mattress for her.” 

“We also cannot afford diapers for her, but we do take proper care of my grandmother.” 

“She eats three times a day and we change her sheets when necessary.” 

According to Iokapeta, she took over the role of caring for her nana since 2011 and it has been difficult. 

“She’s blind and as much as I want to give her what she need, a mattress, diapers and a wheel chair so she can leave the house and catch a breath of fresh air, but we cannot afford any of that.” 

“To be honest I just don’t know how I can go about doing that, with no money.” 

She told the Village Voice team that even their restroom was not working properly because there is not water tank. 

“We store water in a gallon to be used on the toilet because we got a toilet body from a friend but there was no water tank so we have had to improvise,” she said. 

Iokapeta shared that 15 people sleep in their house and only her grandmother sleeps on the wooden bed. 

“Honestly it is a hassle in the evenings, my kids rush to their specified spot to sleep and they argue who gets to sleep with some little space to stretch and who will be cramped up.” 

“Our house is falling apart,” said Iokapeta. 

She pleaded for a Good Samaritan to help her family. 

Fighting back tears, Iokapeta said it doesn’t have to be a brick house, just as long as it is a steady house that is clean for her grandmother and children. 

“I know it is not anyone’s problem but mine, however we cannot afford anything other than food with my husband’s salary.” 

You can reach Iokapeta on 7588088

By Joyetter Luamanu 18 February 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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