Family’s water supply cut, plea for a water tank

By Aruna Lolani 29 August 2017, 12:00AM

Miriama Ilalio Fonoti, of Matautu Falelatai and Afega, needs help.

The 32-year-old mother of two humbly admitted that their water supply was cut off because they couldn’t afford to pay it. 

And in terms of going forward, she said her family would be better off with a water tank.

“Honestly, I would rather have a water tank than spending money to set up our water system again,” said Miriama to Village Voice.

“Because not only do we have to pay for water bills, we also need to pay for the installation.”

When speaking to the Village Voice, Miriama said government workers cut their water without warning.

“I think it was around March or April that our water got cut off. Most of the families here have been living off water from the village’s concrete water tank but one day, the authority came and cut our water and we didn’t even know they were coming and this was the time they came to implement their meter system.

 “And it was around June that they came again with another water bill, which was more than the last bill we had, and I don’t know where that was issued from because we didn’t have any water anymore so it’s confusing.

“So I’m just waiting on them to ask about this when they come again because it was just my daughter who was at home when they came to do their job.”

Miriama said her family only sells crops from the plantation for a living so they can’t afford to pay for the water bills and that’s why she would just prefer a water tank.

“Right now, we use our neighbour’s water for everything, I mean we even go with our laundry to wash it over there and when we earn enough from our crops then we give them maybe $10 for letting us use their water. Another option is the village river so sometimes we do our laundry there.

“We’re not trying to hold onto our money because the truth is; the cost of living is something that’s already expensive for us. I’m only a farmer together with my husband and I have my kids to worry about most of the time.”

Miriama has a 1 year old son and daughter who have just started primary school.

“We could try to get our water back but what is the use if we can barely afford to pay our bills from before?

“That’s why I prefer having a water tank to store our water and that’s why I humbly ask for one.”

If you want to donate a water tank for Miriama and her family, please contact her on 7717128.

By Aruna Lolani 29 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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