Samoa Observer journalist Faith Leapai and photojournalist Junior S Ami spoke to people and asked them for their opinion on poverty in Samoa. Most people who were spoken to believe poverty exists because people are unwilling to work and have become lazy.

Feagaigatupu Niko Ioane, 68, Lepea and Faleula

I find things easier these days than they were in the past. When you have money, everything is easy. It was difficult back then since we had no money, yet we still looked for ways to make money. However, everything we own these days is dependent on money, and we must work hard to achieve our goals. Money is what causes people to claim that we are impoverished, even when we are not. As you can see, I work, therefore we do have money, but the reason why other people are impoverished is because they are lazy and choose not to go to work.

Seumalu Peni Chan Sau, 57, Falelauniu Uta

To begin with, Samoa is not a poor nation. It is completely incorrect for our people to claim that Samoa is impoverished. From what I can see, many don't put in much effort to till our land and discover how much money we actually have. In my opinion, Samoa has a lot of wealth. We have let opportunities slip by not putting in the effort to establish plantations and farms so people can benefit from the wealth. In addition, technology is advancing quicker these days, making it difficult for us to maintain control over it, particularly over the younger generations. Life in Samoa is, in my opinion, much simpler than it is outside. I can attest to this as I was present when our parents were having hardships in the past and I believe that their perseverance should be rewarded. It is unacceptable to live here and witness how our people do not put effort. I feel our people are being weak and lazy. 

 Eddie Leitupo and Howard Tapuai, 24 and 18, Toamua and Faleauniu

It is our people who claim that Samoa is impoverished, but in reality, we are far wealthier than other nations. The problem is that we are unwilling to work hard on our lands to earn more money. It is intolerable to see people who do not want to work and spend their days sleeping. We do not live in poverty, but I feel bad for those who claim to be poor. The problem is that they are the ones who do not work to earn a livelihood and claim to be poor. Instead, they should go out and work hard to prove that our nation is not impoverished. The majority of those who labour as farmers make more money than those who work in offices. The true poverty exists elsewhere; we see it in the news when people in other nations don't have enough food or a place to live, but Samoa is not that kind of place. 

 Sauaso Ta’ileuo Tupuola Logo Hunt, 66, Sa’aga Siumu.

We don't lack access to food or housing; rather, it's our financial situation that many see as impoverished. Still, as you can see, we're not indigent. And although it's often said that Samoa is impoverished, I praise God every day for our nation, Samoa, since we live in freedom every day. We might be living as millionaires; if only our people weren't weak and insolent. We depend on our relatives who live abroad for our daily needs, but what are we doing? There are a lot of things we can do to make a livelihood here in the nation of blessings. In addition, when technology first appeared, I believe that people began to change and stop working in favour of earning money, which is not how Samoa is. Before people were healthy and had happy lives. We also live in our surroundings and have everything, including money.       

Leulua’iali’i Sufia Onosa’i Fetua’i, 57, Savaii

The main difference between then and now is technology. While I think it greatly benefits our nation by making communication easier, the drawback is that our people tend to copy what other nations do, which, in my opinion, leads to Samoa's perception of poverty and encourages other negative behaviour like stealing and killing others in an attempt to obtain something that catches their eye but which they don't want to work hard to make. The true definition of poverty, as shown in news reports from other nations, is when emaciated, destitute children live on the streets without access to food or water. In Samoa, however, poverty is defined as a refusal to work hard and be willing to work hard to gain money. In my opinion, this is the true Israel in the Pacific—the only nation with its own territory and a free people. In contrast to other nations that struggle to obtain lodging and even food to eat, I see that our people have access to all of their fundamental needs. Samoa is rich beyond measure, yet not impoverished.