The district of Faleata No.3 is distributing $500 tala vouchers so voters can either buy farming implements or furniture for their house but most say they were not aware of the vouchers given under the latest disbursement from the $1 million grant. 

Faleata No.3 is currently rolling out the second tranche of the $425,000 of the district development fund which now focuses on individuals and families particularly voters in the electorate. 

Most of the voters that the Samoa Observer spoke to say they were not made aware of such benefits and the district should have been informed about it. 

A man who identified himself as Tamuta Tuala of Vaitele-fou said he hasn’t heard about the $500 tala disbursement nor has he heard from anyone from the district council committee. 

“I think it is important that the committee makes a public announcement or something to all our district about how these funds are spent,” said Tuala. 

“As you know we have people from here and there living in this area and people keep to themselves. My only disappointment is when its something that benefits people like what you are saying there seems to be no communication with the committee but there is no doubt that comes the election we start seeing them making promises that they will fix this and that.” 

Tuala sells pork buns in front of supermarkets in Vaitele and has been living in Faleata for the past 10 years. 

He said knowing now that there is funding that he as a voter can access he will follow up with the district council office on how he can get his share. 

A mother of three of Vaitele-uta, Faataumalama Enokati said her husband applied for the $500 tala and is still waiting for the tools.

Although her family has not yet received the farming tools her husband applied for she is thankful for the scheme. 

Mrs. Enokati said she only wish that the disbursement was cash payment so she can use it to by food for her young children. 

“I hope my husband can get his tools soon to help with our small garden on the backyard but with the high cost of living I had hoped it was cash payment to help with daily needs.” 

Member of Parliament for Faleata no3, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi confirmed the $500 tala disbursement to voters is not paid in cash but voters can purchase appliances, tools or equipment worth that amount. 

Lealailepule said the funding is near finish and voters that could not get their $500 tala worth of goods this time will have to wait for the next payment. 

“If there are two voters in the family that’s a total of $1000 and you can use that money on however you want by purchasing furniture or equipment,” said the opposition party M.P. 

“It is not a cash payout otherwise it would have been long gone. But you fill up a form and can get an invoice for the goods from SSAB or Bluebird worth that amount and get the payment.

“You can purchase frying pans, chairs or tables or even pay for school fees.”  

The disbursement of the second $425,000 to voters in Faleata No.3 of $500 tala each means only 800 voters can access the funding while the rest will have to wait for next time.  

The first $425,000 payment was allocated to churches in Faleata No.3 and the second phase is now focused on families and voters. 

The Livingstone Evangelism Ministry at Vaitele benefited from the first tranche and managed to get 100 plastic chairs and 20 tables. 

Pastor Luamanuvae Lene and his wife Aiaraisa Luamanuvae acknowledged the $1 million grant that has helped their church get the tables and chairs in December. 

Pastor Luamanuvae said the tables and chairs are being hired to church members and the income they get goes into the church account. 

“The tables and chairs are hired out to our members for their birthday events, and family meetings and so far we have collected more than $1000 tala,” he said. 

“We did apply for air conditioning for the church and we didn’t get that but we hope it can be provided for and we can pay the rest. The funding we are getting from hiring the chairs and tables we are looking at using that to fix our church fence and other developments.”