It is tough living on four buckets of water a day, but for Rosa Aukuso it is a challenge that she has learnt to live with.

She lives in a small partially-completed Samoan traditional house with her husband and three-year-old daughter. And their lack of access to water is a big concern.

Speaking to the Village Voice team, Rosa said they get their buckets of water from her in-laws.

“My family does not have access to water supply – we depend on four buckets of water – which we have to fill from one of my husband’s families.”

“It is not an easy journey having to carry it every day but we have no choice. Water is used for various purposes, we need it for water consumption, cooking food, washing our clothes, and bathing,” she said in an interview.

A water tank will enable Rosa and her family to overcome their challenges, she added. 

“It would have been easier if we had a water tank. We do not have a modern waste facility too and so we also need help with that because hygiene is very important so no one can catch any sicknesses.”

The 24-year-old also shared her fears concerning the condition of their home, and pointed to its leaking roof and lack of windows or doors. 

“Our home is small with no windows or doors, the roof leaks during rainy days – and with Samoa currently in its rainy season – we struggle with having to keep our home dry. I mostly worry about my daughter, she is young and I only wish to make life easier for her. It scares me more that the cyclone season for Samoa is not yet over and so I just pray we don’t get affected with one because our home is not stable.”

Her husband is employed but his fortnightly earnings are meagre and not enough to cater for all the family’s needs, Rosa added.

“We are not a rich family and so I cannot afford to send my child to school yet, I wish she has a better future through education but one could only dream of such things. I am really grateful to my husband for working to provide for us, but he only gets paid every fortnight which cannot pay for so many expenses.”

There are times when the family does not have enough or even get staple food from the plantation to keep them going, which has led to her in-laws coming to their aid. 

“We also need supplies like plates and cups to use, and also tarpaulins which are very useful during rainy days. The land we live on is a family land and our families have lived here for more than 20 years,” she added. 

If you are willing to help the family of Rosa Aukuso from Etena-fou please contact the number: 7734205.