Fetching water from the waterfall in buckets has become the norm for Lupe Tafea.

Today, she is in dire need of a water tank. 

It’s been 10 years, and the mother of three, who is a farmer, has been fetching water from the nearby waterfall.

“I married my husband and then moved to live here; there is no stable water supply yet.”

Mrs. Tafea finds it disturbing that while the government’s water tank is not far from their residence yet they are the only family in Tapatapao who is not connected to government water. 

“It’s pathetic that we are the only family that does not have water connection and we were told that’s because we live up the hill and it’s somewhat difficult to get water to our house.” 

“So we get our water from the waterfall and sometimes, from my husband’s family in town, or sometimes we ask our neighbours not far from here.” 

Mrs. Tafea also told the Village Voice team that the Government should live up to their mandate and that is to provide service to each and every family, but not just a few. 

“Our family needs a water tank, having to fetch water from the waterfall is a hassle.” 

“It’s tiring to have to fetch water all the time,” she said. 

Their family cannot afford a water tank because they depend on their farm for money. 

“Even our home is not in a stable condition, when it rains we move to my in-laws place.” 

“Our roof leaks and all the money we get from the farm goes to putting the kids to school and getting chemicals to help with the farm, but then the money we get is not much.”

“We sell bananas during the week at the market in town and we sell our taro in Vaitele on Sundays, some days are good and some days we don’t sell anything,” she said. 

The mother pleads for a Good Samaritan’s help with a water tank. You can reach Mrs. Tafea on 721-4749.