Money matters when you look after families

By Aruna Lolani 09 June 2017, 12:00AM

When you are responsible for your family, money matters. 

Tiavaotaga from the village of Faleula and Salega Savaii, knows this. 

“I have two families that I am taking care of and currently trying my best to support everyday; it’s my own family and my wife’s family,” he tells the Village Voice.

“Even though I do not have much, I still try to contribute because it is my duty as the head of our family to make sure that these obligations are being taken care of.

“It’s always hard to try and budget such a small amount of money among a lot of people.

“I also have children at school who always need money for so many things.

“And there’s always Samoan fa’alavelave, one over the other almost every week.

“It’s not easy to live in that kind of life but you know, it’s the Samoan life.

“And for me, that’s a lot of things to be worried about, basically about where they are going to get the money for it.

“So of course anyone like me is not ashamed to ask for help when they need help.

“Especially with money and I need help with money.

Tiavaotaga said some of his children work but it’s never enough. 

“See, we are all still trying to develop our families and yet our country is now labeled as a developed country.

“God knows how much we cry for help because we are still struggling so I don’t know how our country gets to be known as one of the developed countries when were still like this.

“It doesn’t make sense to me at all. It really doesn’t.

“I think life has suddenly changed in what it’s all about.

“It’s all about money now in this world and that’s the truth.

“If you don’t have enough of that to live by every day, you are pressured about what your next move is going to be.”

If you want to help out Tiavaotaga financially, please contact him on 7208719.

By Aruna Lolani 09 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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