Growing domestic obligations worrisome

By Aruna Lolani 25 May 2017, 12:00AM

There are way too many domestic obligations for Samoan people nowadays.

Speaking to the Village Voice yesterday, Malaga Sio from Lele’a, Luatuanu’u shared his thoughts about some of the challenges of today.

“Money has become a common issue to talk about ever since the cost of living became expensive,” he said.

“It didn’t change the Samoan way where we always have to contribute to fa’alavelave, church obligations and village obligations.

“It didn’t reduce the number of things or obligations that requires money payment.

“We know an obligation always comes with contributions of money and a person needs to have a job to be able to afford anything in his or her life and that’s another common issue.

“This situation has put a lot of pressure on so many people in Samoa, that’s what I’ve noticed especially for the younger generation who still believe in the Samoan way called ‘tausi-aiga’.

“Why? Because not only do they get stressed from thinking too much about where to find the money, but also because trying to find jobs is not easy.”

The 63 year old was on his way to a family meeting for a fa’alavelave when Village Voice spotted him.

“The problem now is that we have to so many things on our minds and we don’t know how to take care of it.

“When these things come up, they put us in a place where we stress day and night trying to figure out where to get money from.

“It’s not easy and I think it’s never going to be.

“But I know my reason to still deal with it is probably the same reason the others are dealing with it; we are Samoans and this is the life we have no matter how much we wish it will change.”

By Aruna Lolani 25 May 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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