Young mother shares about struggles and cost of living

By Ilia L Likou 30 October 2017, 12:00AM

The cost of living is so expensive in Samoa that even raising one child is a struggle.

So says 24-year-old mother of one, Rosa Mene of Malie.

“My family is very small; it’s just my husband and my daughter,” she told the Village Voice.

But despite how small their family is, it is “still hard to live off the money from my husband’s pay.

“My husband is the only one who works to support us and is paid $150 per week.”

The family tries desperately to budget their money every week.

Rosa said she wants to find a job but she and her husband have come to an agreement.

 “I have to take care of my daughter first,” she said.

Rosa strongly believes that she is responsible for nurturing her child and it is best that she cares for her child first.

She said they are not the only ones struggling with the cost of living. 

Many people across the country are too.

But she remains positive.

“Even though there are ups and downs, it doesn’t stop us from moving forward,” he said.

“Despite all the failures and problems in life especially the high cost of living that we’re now facing - God is still in control.”

She acknowledged the importance of working together as husband and wife and as a family.

“This is what keeps us going,” Rosa said.

She is also a strong believer that setting good examples for our children on how to develop their family when they grow older is important.

According to the mother it is the very reason they strongly push for their daughter to get a good education.

“So that when she grows up she has the qualifications to find  a good job that can financially provide for her in the future.

“That’s why she has to attend school, we think that days are getting worse and worse because of the high cost of living and I believe education is her way to success.”

Part of the agreement she has with her husband is that their child’s educational needs come first before any other commitment.

Despite the challenges of high living costs, the village life is peaceful.

She thanks the village rules and regulations in place that keeps their village very peaceful.

“Everything is very peaceful in our village and that’s why our village doesn’t have many problems; even with the young people because we have orders to follow.”

By Ilia L Likou 30 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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