Show some love for Samoa

By Aruna Lolani 09 August 2017, 12:00AM

Developments should be about people. And it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the best interests of Samoans are at the forefront of developments.

The key is to have a heart for people. Love them.

But that doesn’t appear to be the case according to Peta Kelemete of Gagaifo Lefaga.

In fact, she is worried about the future of her family in Samoa.

With the cost of living getting so expensive and the growing dominance of Chinese businesses taking over most of our lands, she is correct.

 “The cost of living is too much,” Peta told the Village Voice team.

“That’s a problem I’m facing and I think that goes for a lot of people.”

The 70-year-old lives with her son and grandson. 

“You know if we only have one person working for the family, he or she cannot even afford to cover all of the expenses. 

“I know this because we have three people in our family and only my son works.

“That’s why my children overseas help out sometimes, because the cost of living is too much for us.

 “As Samoans we are expected to pay for church obligations and even fa’alavelave within families.

“We have children and in a situation where both parents don’t work, how are they going to survive?

“I can’t help but wonder what we can do to help those that do not have good homes; some of our people barely have homes.”

Peta also expressed her concern about the many new Chinese businesses being set up in Samoa.

“They are literally taking over everything and I’ve noticed that people, our people, do not go to any of the Samoan shops anymore but to the Chinese shops to get what they want because it’s cheap.

“This is a situation we should be worried about because it may seem good now but how will this affect our future? Can we guarantee the safety of our people and our children?

“So it’s a must to look into this and do something about it. 

“The government should have a solution to this because not all the families are the same.”

“You know for other families, they have no source of income at all and even worse if they don’t have anyone in overseas countries to help out in that situation.

“This life is going too fast and I just try to depend on God for help when I can’t take it anymore.”

By Aruna Lolani 09 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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