Mother prioritises her children

By Seia Soloi 28 February 2017, 12:00AM

Tala Suiai prefers to keep her life simple.

The 35-year-old mother of three from Tufulele says her priority is her children.

Tala’s husband is the only one who works. None of her children are in school.

Everyday is a struggle, she said, but they try to make the most of any situation.

“Luckily the money my husband earns is just enough to cover my family’s needs every day in terms of foods and bills,” she told Village Voice.

Tala’s husband works for a company near Malua and he makes $100 a week.

 “We also have a plantation to depend on and vegetables as well,” she said. 

“The money we earn from our crops is for our water and electricity bills, once a month.” 

The cost of living is high, she noted.

“Not every family in Samoa is the same. Some people do struggle to provide for families but some don’t, they have everything in life.

“We are just thankful for what we have every day.”

One important thing that Tala wants for her family is for them to be happy.

“Even though we are struggling, my family is happy.”

Village, family and church demands are expensive.

 “Family fa’alavelave costs us a lot but we have to do it because it’s the way of life in Samoa.”

Her other concern is for the safety of her family especially that her children are too young.

“Luckily our house is far away from the road so they are safe,” she said.

“But I can’t help but notice the many cars and the accidents happening to families living near the road.”

By Seia Soloi 28 February 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.

>