Distance a problem for Nofoali’i family

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 16 April 2017, 12:00AM

Sera Oteli is a 50-year-old mother from Nofoali’i.

She spoke with the Village Voice as she began her long walk to catch the bus. 

Her family of four live very far inland and have found that their isolation from shops and water seem to be their main source of troubles.

Mr. and Mrs. Oteli work the plantation on their property to provide for their family. 

This provides the food for them and their children, but does not provide much of an income.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Oteli are unemployed, and find it hard to find paid work because of how far they have to walk to catch the bus.

“We have to walk five miles from home just to catch the bus, so me and my husband find it hard to find work and get around.”

“We have no other choice but to live far inland because of our lands and plantation.”

“We get by because of our plantation; it gives us enough food to feed our family”

Unfortunately, this means that the family home has no access to water because we have very little money to pay the water bill and rely solely on their crops to survive.”

“There is no water at home because we cannot afford to pay for it, but my husband and I try our best to get by.”

The Oteli family have two young children, and Mrs. Oteli said that it is lucky that their children are still young, because if they were older the children would have to go to school. 

She believes that the family would probably find it hard to get the children to school every day, but more importantly, to pay their fees.

“We are trying to save money, not only to pay for water but we want to provide an education for our children, our children will need to go to school soon so we will need to find money to pay for school fees.”

With the family living so far inland, cost of living and the family’s ability to get around are their main concern.

If you know of anyone who could think of a way to help the Oteli family out in any way, or can offer assistance yourself, please call the family on #7744630.

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 16 April 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>