Father’s desperate search for paid work

By Nefertiti Matatia 31 January 2018, 12:00AM

Toma Tuilata, a father of two from Leauva’a, is desperate for a job.

The 47-year-old told the Village Voice yesterday that no one in his family works and with his children returning to school, the pressure on him to provide money is enormous.

“I used to work as a taxi driver but then I stopped since it was costing me more money than what I actually earned from it,” he said. 

“There are so many fees. Everything has to be renewed in terms of commercial licenses which amount to almost $300. 

“I felt so discouraged that I stopped, it is just too much.”

But the need for money has not stopped.

And this is why he is looking for a job. 

“I feel pressured since I have two children who are in school and it has already started. We have no money to buy the things that they need for school,” he said.

He said his wife had worked at Yazaki until it was closed.

She is also looking for work.

The house they have been living in for more than two years needs electricity.

“Nothing within my home is stable yet,” he said.

“We have already fixed our tap water but just by looking at the power and setting up the electricity is really expensive. We used to live in Samata, Savai’i but we have moved here for a better future.”

A better future though remains a dream.

Mr. Tuilata stated that it was better back then when they were employed as they were able to pay for items such as roofing and water.

But things have become so much harder now.

“Even though we did not earn much with the pay that we had then but we were able to save up money to get certain things cleared out of the way. We are currently using my other relative’s bathroom for the meantime since we do not have one.”

Life is not easy and the cost of living has become unbearable, he said.

For anyone who is keen to help Mr. Tuilata’s family, the contact number is 7237823.

By Nefertiti Matatia 31 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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