A family’s subsistence survival

By Aruna Lolani 11 April 2017, 12:00AM

This life is not just about changes, it’s about challenges as well. 

Samoa has changed in so many ways and that’s a real challenge.

So believes Sam Naoa from the village of Saoluafata.

Aged 42, Sam is a father of five and his work right now is developing his family with what he already has in hand. 

 “I know the government are not going around Samoa and checking on how its people are doing but that’s okay because I know our people are fine,” he said. 

 “Our people are not crying over food because when they are hungry, they know we have the lands to get food from. 

 “Every family is doing the best they can to work the lands to get what they need and to make money,” he told the Village Voice. 

Mr. Naoa said that what he’s working on, is trying to develop his family’s living situation.

 “I am trying to develop my family and we haven’t been here long. We used to stay at Lauli’i where my family was but now, we are here in this village because this is where my wife is from and ever since we moved here, I’ve been doing my best to develop my family’s living situation.

Mr. Naoa said that his vision for the future is being able to afford building a new house. He’s been planning this with his wife. 

 “That is my hope and I am praying and working in whatever way to make this happen. 

 “Right now, we just appreciate the fact that we have a roof over our heads and that the children have a place to stay. 

 “That’s what’s important is being able to provide the basics of living to my children because they are still young  and still in school. 

This father went on to say that he and his wife are responsible for most of the duties in the family including making their meals everyday.

 “I prefer staying in the village where we are surrounded by huge lands because we can get whatever we need. 

 “Even with the water, it’s in good condition and our tap is where some people of the village come to get water from. 

 “But I think the other thing that we need help with is a restroom (fale-le-tau’a) because at the moment, we are still using the kind that Samoa started with. 

Mr. Naoa believes that everything is peaceful and joyful if you depend on the land for your basic needs.

 “We have a good area here, so peaceful and quiet.

 “I don’t think anyone is ever hungry here because we have a lot of plantations for food.

 “We don’t have anyone that works in the family but that’s okay because we have most of the things provided to us by nature.

 “Right now, our only focus is to help these children have better futures.”

If you want to lend a helping hand to Sam Naoa and his family to build their house, contact him on 7788751 or 7696080.

By Aruna Lolani 11 April 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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