A life without access to water is not one that families everywhere would want to experience and 38-year-old father Iosefa Taua knows too well the struggles his family has faced.

Consequently, fisherman and farmer made a plea for assistance through the pages of Samoa Observer’s Village Voice column in October last year.

Close to five months after appealing for help, U.S. based donor Victoria Tanuvasa stepped forward to assist with a financial contribution to the family through the non-profit organisation Brown Girl Woke.

Mr Taua has no formal employment and lives with his family on the east coast of Upolu, more than 54 kilometres from Apia through the main East Coast Road.

He and his children and wife live in a traditional Samoan-designed house, which is located close to the main road and is surrounded by the family’s plantation.

Melini Taua and her children just arrived home after school on Thursday when she was shocked to see representatives of B.G.W., local water tank firm Tank Guy and the Samoa Observer.

“I would like to thank the kind hearts of those who have helped make this possible,” she said.

The mother of three said that her husband is both a fisherman and a farmer and life has its challenges as he strives to look after the family.

“We sometimes earn $80 per week from selling fish, but in terms of the plantation we usually wait for months, just to have taro produce to mature and sell at the market," she said.

“I believe this assistance will benefit our family greatly because, right now we fetch buckets of water from the village’s spring which we also use for bathing and washing our clothes.

“We pray that God will shower blessings upon those that have such a big heart to help those that are in need.”

B.G.W. founder Maluseu Doris Tulifau told the family that the donor who funded the purchase of their water tank is Victoria Tanuvasa who lives in the U.S.

The water tank gifting project is a long-term solution for a lot of rural families  who need access to water, she said.

“We also acknowledge Tank Guy for always coming with us to get the best type of water tank because there are a lot of people, who do not understand the process of setting up the tank so that there is a flow of water.

“So far we have helped seven families with water tanks and yet it’s only March. 

“You never know how much people need water until you come out to the village and realise that some take water for granted.

“But you come to a house that doesn’t have plumbing, electricity or nowhere to take a shower.”

Maluseu also highlighted the impact that having a water tank will have on the families including personal hygiene and health.

“Before we used to go and donate things for the week such as clothes, food but sustainability and development is water,” she said. 

“Having water tanks for these families will help grow their family, plantation, livelihood and going to school, hygiene especially from the measles epidemic to the coronavirus pandemic.”