“Fetching water every day, takes a lot of time but I’ve got money to earn.” 

Ask Vaiolo So’otaga of Faleasu’i and he will tell you about their family’s daily struggle with water.  

Vaiala family has resided at Faleasi’u, for more than 10 years now and there are still water shortages. 

According to him, only the village living near the main road has access to water. 

Why? He has no idea at all.  

He said whenever they need water he always fetches it from a family about 200 meters from their house.  

“We also get to pay for the water we fetch, its $10 a tank of water,” he said. 

“This is a daily struggle. When it rains that’s when we are at peace. 

“The water pipes do not reach my house but we are getting used to it.”  

 “When it rains, we are able to store water for drinking and for our food, but we still have to walk 200 meters to do our washing and to shower.”  

 “So getting water for us is like a responsibility every day.” 

Vaiolo said that making their move was hard for them because  they didn’t have enough money to buy a water tank or even a proper house with electricity.  

“We could only fix our small house”  

“We’re not worrying too much about access to electricity but the first thing first is our house and water. 

“You see we can do with candles, but our house is not safe and most off all we need water for living.  

Asked how he provides for his family, Vaiolo said he sold taro, banana and koko Samoa to the market to provide for his family. They sometimes get help from his brothers and sisters.  

“To me, the reason why I work hard is for the future of my children.

“They need to learn and take life as a lesson in order for them to realize that everything is hard to deal with. 

 “I work every day on my land especially in our plantation and vegetable garden because it’s easy money.” 

“But that’s what worries me the most because I can’t keep on fetching water every day, it takes me a lot of time but I have got money to earn.”

If you are able to help Vaiolo So’otaga he can be contacted on 7236437.