Iopu’s family’s water woes

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 09 March 2017, 12:00AM

“I am not ashamed to admit that we need help from anyone who can give it. 

“If not then we will make do with what we have.”

Iopu Falasia, aged 54 from the village of Malie, lives a life of hardship.

Despite having a regular income, what he needs the most is water. 

His family doesn’t have access to water. And while they have electricity, most of the time they rely on lanterns because they cant always afford power.

Iopu’s wife works and she gets a weekly pay of $80.

Iopu is a farmer and he sells bananas and taro from his plantation to help his family.

The front of their fale is littered with water drums and buckets for water storage.

“Right now, we don’t have any water pipes coming to our house,” Iopu told the Village Voice. 

“In order to get by on a day to day basis, we have to go to our neighbors to ask for some water.

“If there’s one thing our family really needs, it’s a steady source of water. 

“We have buckets of water which we try to fill up every day but its not easy living this way because the water is not clean.” 

The family on the opposite side of the road lends their water pipe sometimes but it comes with a price.

That’s why Iopu said they are trying their best to install their own water pipes.

 “My only concern is my children who are in school and the food we cook. Water is needed for cooking and if the water isn’t clean then it’s a health risk.”

Iopu also talked about the cost of living. 

“I agree with everyone else that the cost of living is killing people. It’s getting really expensive.

 “Don’t get me wrong, we are still going to try and save up enough get our own pipes but it’s just that the cost of living keeps on increasing.”

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 09 March 2017, 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.

>