$90 a fortnight for family of eight

By Ulimasao Fata 14 December 2017, 12:00AM

Receiving $90 fortnightly to support six children is a struggle. 

That’s the reality for Koama Seve, 40, from the village of Alamagoto. 

Mrs. Seve said the cost of living in Samoa was expensive and life was really hard too.

“Only one person in my family works and that is my husband and he is one of those workers who gets paid fortnightly,” she told the Village Voice team.

“Most of the time he only gets $90 fortnight because we also have to pay our loans and it all comes down to how we manage our money wisely.

“We have six children of our own and all of them are in school, but the thing is we are struggling in finance trying to support our family.”

Mrs. Seve said they struggle to budget her husband’s wages.

“The pay my husband receives is not enough for my family, but we are fortunate that we have something.

“Whenever he gets paid, I will buy a packet of rice to try and cater for the whole two weeks until the next pay comes in.

“Usually we just have rice throughout the week and tinned fish and sometimes we just have rice and tea to go through the night.”

Mrs. Seve also mentioned that the hardest part for her is that her kids were still young and she was still struggling.

“My eldest son is 15 years old now and we are trying our best supporting them with their education because that is our priority.

“The cost of living here in Samoa is really affecting me and my family, but as long as my children get to go school that will be good.”

Mrs. Seve added life was difficult when you have less money to cover two weeks.

“To be honest, the amount my husband earns cannot be stretched for two weeks.

“No matter how good your budgeting skills may be, stretching $90 for two weeks won’t work at all.”

For those of you willing to help Mrs. Seve and her family, she can be contacted through her cell phone number 7780782.

By Ulimasao Fata 14 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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