The struggle is real in dealing with low income

By Sarafina Sanerivi 17 January 2017, 12:00AM

We all struggle sometimes in life. 

In Samoa, a lot has been said and written about the struggles our people face on a daily basis. 

For Ruta Falemoe and her family, budgeting the small money they get is a tough struggle.  Aged 23, Ruta is a single mother of one and is residing with her family at Nu’u-Fou.

“For our family, my parents and my brothers all have jobs but the money they get from their pay is still not enough to cover for everything we need within our family,” she told the Village Voice.

“That’s usually the case because you know how it is for us in Samoa. We spend money on a lot of things like food, family obligations and fa’alavelave, church donations, paying the bills and others. 

“That is the hardest thing for us. The money we get goes straight to these things and we always struggle trying to budget and what to give our priority to.”

Nevertheless, the children’s schooling is one of the things the money will go to especially as school will start soon.

“Once school starts, that will add on to the list of expenses we already have. It’s just not enough.

“For our family, we have three children who are still at school, and I know very well that more money will be spent on them once school starts.”

Moreover, Ruta said on the other side, her family is just starting a new life at Nu’u-Fou. 

Therefore, things are a bit different for them now because they had just moved to Nu’u-Fou. 

“I‘d like to think things will get better.

“I will also look for a job to help out my family with the things that we need to start afresh here. 

“Here at Nu’u-Fou, it’s not like the villages in the rural areas where we have our own lands and  we can work on our lands anytime and do anything with our lands. 

“But here, the land we have is too small for a big plantation, so the best option for me is to work.

“I am now looking for a job so I can help my family. I know that if I do get a job, this will be a great help for me and my family.”

However, Ruta said life in general in Samoa is great. 

“Everything is peaceful in our country. The only problem is that some of us don’t have enough income to cover for all the things we need. 

“And another one is the high cost of living. But Samoa is still beautiful and peaceful.”

By Sarafina Sanerivi 17 January 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>