For Vaiula Atilua, and her family in the village of Leualesi, they are going through a lot of problems and despite many requests to the government, nothing has been done.

Aged 32, one of the problems Vaiula’s family faces is a basic necessity. They have a water pipe but according to the frustrated mother, they still go without water for long periods of time.

“One of the biggest problems out here is water,” she told the Village Voice.

“There are times when the water comes but most of the time we would go without water for three days out of every week.

“We would have to go look for families who have water to get some for our family.”

Even with the persistent water problems, Vaiula is still forced to pay a water bill for water her family barely touches.

“We honestly don’t know why they continue to give us water bills but we don’t even get any water for long periods of time,” she said.

“The water people just say that someone from the village is probably using it but I don’t how that works so I don’t know who’s actually to blame.

“We would have to pay every month yet we don’t even use it half of the month.”

The most frustrating time without water is Sundays says Vaiula.

“Many a time the water goes off on Sundays and that’s the day people really need the water,” she said.

“We don’t go to church sometimes because we have to go around looking for water to cook the food for the family and take showers.

“They should take water problems with families out here more seriously because everyone knows that we really need water to live.”

Furthermore, another problem Vaiula faces is the road by her house, where there are many accidents.

 “A lot of accidents happen and the children are at risk because we don’t have any road signs on the intersection over there.

“We need a sign because just recently we had a problem where a car came speeding through and then missed his turn but luckily there is a dirt road over there which gave him enough space to stop.

 “We need some changes here because I fear for the children’s safety.”