Young man’s ongoing struggle to fetch water

By Sarafina Sanerivi 04 December 2016, 12:00AM

It’s not normal. When a young man’s daily routine is walking long distances with a wheelbarrow and water containers to fetch water for the family, then you will know there’s something wrong.

For Nelson Laauli, from the village of Leusoalii, that is his reality.

Aged 21, the N.U.S. student makes his way to a nearby village water pipe everyday to fill up his water containers.

“This is my job every single day and it’s not easy at all,” Nelson told the Village Voice.

“I come and get water from here for my family. The water is a real issue here in the village but I guess we’ve grown used to living this way.”

“I live further inland and only during heavy rains do we get water to our house.”

It’s not an ideal way to live but since water is essential to life, Nelson has no other choice than to make the long trip.

“I am not sure whether the village has requested help from the water authority,” he said.

“The water over here is not metered. It’s actually the village’s water pipes and although the pipes reach my house, we only get water when the pressure is strong.”

“So I have to come here with my wheelbarrow and containers to collect some water for our daily needs.”

The young man continued on to give a little peek into his daily routine.

 “Aside from getting some water for the family, my other chores are just normal youth-like chores,” Nelson said.

“I prepare and cook the taro for the day and other types of food; I go and get some coconuts to feed the pigs and then I help out with the evening meals.”

“After all my chores are done then I go and play some volleyball.”

But other than that, Nelson says that life in the village is great.

“Other than that issue, there’s nothing much happening in our village,” he said.

“Everything is peaceful and life seems to be alright right now. I just focus on doing my chores everyday and helping out where I’m needed.”

“When there’s nothing to do then I just look for something productive to use my time on.”

Asked about his dreams for the future, Nelson says his goal is to one day work in a bank.

“I am currently studying at N.U.S. right now but when I’m on break, I come and help out around here,” he said.

“I’m a commerce student studying both economic and accounting. I have one more year before I finally graduate and I am looking forward to that.”

“It’s always been a dream of mine to work in the bank and I am almost there.”

By Sarafina Sanerivi 04 December 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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