A father of five is in need of proper shelter. 

Meaalofa Segi of Tanumapua has lived in a shack for nine years. This, he said, is a challenge. 

Speaking to the Village Voice team, the unemployed father states their house leaks heavily when it rains. 

“This is where my wife’s family lives and we have been together for nine years, but they have been here longer than that.

“When it rains, it leaks and our belongings get damaged by the rain. When Tropical Cyclone Gita struck, we couldn’t prevent the water from coming into the house. 

“We definitely need iron roofing for the house. The only thing that we need are materials to better the house we live in,” said the 32-year-old.

Having 11 people live together in two shacks with the same problem is not easy, he says. 

As a parent, his main concern is his children because they are still young.

“My wife is the only provider in our family. I stay home with the children and work the land at the same time.

“And some of my wife’s relatives live in this shack, they sleep here. They don’t have much of a choice because there is nowhere else that they can live in.

“They are from Savaii and they are now staying here with us, their house is in far worse condition than ours. But we face the same problem with the roof that is very complicated to deal with.”

He explained: “That is the main reason we have placed plastics on the roof just to try and the keep the rain out.

“We have chosen to use this place for the meantime while we try to look for some money to solve this problem.”

Mr. Segi has one child who attends school. 

Despite being unemployed, he works hard so that his children will have something to eat.

“I work the land so that my family can eat and the same time be able to generate income to support my children.

“I barely sell my crops unless someone gives me a call that they want me to give them taro. So that is when I will able to make money.

“So I usually make $60 a week. It just depends mainly on the people who call in asking for crops, but it is not consistent.” 

For anyone who is willing to help this family, contact the number 7754650.