Future looks bleak for struggling mother

By Nefertiti Matatia 27 November 2017, 12:00AM

Hardships can either break us or make us stronger.

Unfortunately, in the case of Sandra Tiatia she is struggling to cope.

The mother of six revealed the source of her worries was mainly because of a lack of money.

“Everything went off the rails when my husband became sick. He was working for the Samoa Ports Authority and his pay was decent enough for us to make it through to the next week. But the doctor has given out specific instructions that he cannot work anymore,” she said.

The 45-year-old said that she had to work and let the father of the family rest because he was not in any condition to work anymore. 

They have had to send their eldest daughter overseas to live there so she can work and help their family.

“It is hard for my husband to walk nowadays which is why I have decided to go to work so he can take a break. It was really heartbreaking that we had to send our eldest daughter overseas to work so she could help me look after our big family.”

Sandra said that is the cause of her daughter travelling overseas to help her family. 

It has been almost a year ever since her daughter left but she still weeps at times thinking of her.

“I still cry every night missing my daughter, hoping that she is okay. I know she is living with our family but it is not the same as being home where she belongs. It feels like she just left yesterday,” she told the Village Voice team.

Her four younger children are still in school and she was not looking forward to next year because her other daughter would be in Year 12 and there were so many things that would be needed.

“I am not excited about next year because it means her school fees will increase and that is excluding S.S.C. fees. I don’t know where to find the money to pay that off,” she added.

Sandra admits her family is struggling and she gets emotional when she cannot provide what her children want.

“I only receive $180 a week. I buy four noodles which mean one noodle per day. Sometimes we don’t eat or have any dinner. We need to pay off the water bill and get cash power as well. Not only that, but the events that the kids have at school such as their English Day or mufti are for fundraising and they need to contribute.”

Life is very hard but Sandra believes that it doesn’t matter how poor she is, she will always take her kids to school because she wants them to have a better life.

“My eldest daughter had to stop school so she could help our family and now she has moved away to help her younger siblings with their education. 

“I am certain that education is everything and it is the key for them to have a better future,” she said. 

By Nefertiti Matatia 27 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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