Father laments high cost of living

By Ulimasao Fata 15 December 2017, 12:00AM

There is no other way to justify the high cost of living in Samoa when one looks at the value of $100 today. 

This is the belief of 63-year-old Maiava Ah-Siu, a father of two from the village of Faleasi’u. 

“I work on my plantation to make money to support my youngest child’s education,” Mr. Ah-Siu told the Village Voice team yesterday. 

“Life became really hard when I got married and had kids because I wasn’t even good with school, but I pushed my kids to be in school so they can have a better future.

“I also go out fishing in order to provide food and money for my family, and that is it.”

Mr. Ah-Siu says Samoa has undergone considerable changes in terms of cost of living and development.

“I remember back then when you only have $20 but you will still be able to use it throughout the week. 

“But today, if you only have $100 you wouldn’t want to be in town because that is not enough to pay the bills and even food for the family.”

Mr. Ah-Siu adds apart from providing for family needs, money was also needed for other aspects of communal living.

“Nowadays, family obligations have taken all people’s money, while most of the families are just having a cup of tea through the night.

“We have also seen a lot of families’ today spending money on Land and Titles Court because they are fighting over land and titles.

“These have cost the people so much that they have forgotten to feed their children and their education.”

Mr. Ah-Siu added he was grateful despite not being employed because one of his children was providing for them from overseas.

“My eldest daughter completed her studies here in Samoa and now she is working overseas and supporting us.”

He says everything in Samoa is good except that almost everything is about money.

“Money goes with everything here in Samoa; you have to have money for the bills and family obligations.”

By Ulimasao Fata 15 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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