Apia and village life is very different – Itea Isara

By Vatapuia Maiava 04 September 2016, 12:00AM

Meet 33-year-old Itea Isara from the village of Fagaloa.

When approached by the Village Voice and asked how life is out in the village voice she replied by saying that there are many differences between town life and village life.

“I am actually new to this village and I have to admit, there are many differences compared to Apia,” Itea says.

“Here in the village we plant crops and we get money every day. It’s not like Apia, if they don’t go to other villages to work then they won’t make any money.

“But for us out here, every single day is pay day if you work hard. Just like what I’m doing right now. I am selling coconut husk strainers (Kauaga) in order to live.

“Another difference is if people in Apia don’t take their crops to the market then they won’t make any money; but for us, we can just sell on the road like this and we will get money.

“This money will go towards the food, putting the children through school and to buy lunch for the kids to take to school. That’s all the differences I can think of.

“In Apia the water is metered but for us out here, we get free water. The only similarity would be the electricity. We all run on cash power.”

Are there any challenges with life out in these villages?

“The only challenge with my village is that there are only a few houses up in these mountains. It’s not like other villages.” Itea says.

Do you think there is poverty in Samoa?

“People are only poor if they do not work,” Itea says.

“There is no poverty in Samoa. It’s not like overseas countries; if they are unemployed then they won’t get money but over here there is none of that.

“It’s your own fault if you are poor here in Samoa.”

By Vatapuia Maiava 04 September 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>