Young mother perseveres through hardship

By Ilia L Likou 02 February 2017, 12:00AM

There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.

So believes Toreka Maeavalu, 28, an unemployed mother of four children from Toamua.

Her husband works at Fast Food, Vailoa, and is the only one to provide for their family with $150 a week. 

“I have two girls and two boys attending Manumalo Primary School,” she told the Village Voice.

“To be honest, we can’t survive for one week from that $150.

“This $150 usually is spent by Wednesday, and then we sell niu at $1 each to stretch on to another week to survive on till the next pay day. But there’s nothing we can do about it, life goes on but we have to be smart.

She went on to say that “all growth depends upon activity. 

 “Life nowadays is difficult but I’m never too tired to face it but make it interesting even when it’s not. 

“This is for the sake of our kids.

“I want to see them happy, I want then to be educated….life is very tough but at least we try.

She continues, “We access water supply and electricity but our land belongs to the Samoa Land Corporation.

“We’re not so sure of when we’re going to leave here, but hopefully not too soon.

“We’re lucky because we have our own land in the village to move  to but for now, as I’ve mentioned before, we take our family, children as our first priority, no matter the challenges around us.

Toreka believes that there is nothing wrong with family fa’alavelave, village contributions and church.   

“I’m all good with those village, church obligations and fa’alavelave.

“Especially I’m a Jehovah Witness church member which  means that we don’t have to donate much.

“With all the pressures, my first priority is to make sure we have enough for our family.”

Looking for a job is her other priority.

“I’m looking for a job so that I could contribute to my family. We all know that no matter how hard we work there will always be challenges we face.

“Looking for a job is all about contributing for we all know that the increasing cost of living on is an ongoing issue nowadays and we need to work as much we can.

“We’ll never know what tomorrow will bring, but at least we get ready everyday. 

 “The most challenging issue everyday is trying to provide for my family…but I’m sure If I get a job before the end of this month.

“That will really help!

Aside from hardships, Toreka said that life in the village is great.

 “For now, life is just great here.” she said.

“Even though we’re about to move to the other side of the village, at least we’re still happy. All we have to do now is to enjoy  what we have today and hope that with Jehovah everything will fall into place soon.”

By Ilia L Likou 02 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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