It’s a hard life in Samoa

By Ulimasao Fata 17 October 2017, 12:00AM

The sea, for Pelesasa Mano of Utuali’i, is a source of sustenance for his family. 

Not only does the sea provide food, it also helps generate income when he sells his catches.

Pelesasa is used to his daily routine.

First he ensures the kids are ready to attend school before going out fishing.

Yesterday was no exception.

“Well today was just like any other day,” he said. “After dropping the kids to school then I’ll be out at sea to get something for dinner tonight.”

He is the food provider for the family while his eldest son is the only one working to pay for their bills.”

“My eldest son is the only one working and he is supporting our family through paying our bills while I am out here fishing to get something for our dinner tonight with the family.”

Pelesasa believes that life has been hard lately in Samoa.

“Life has been hard with my family with only one member of our family working, now we are going back to the good old Samoan style of plantation and fishing,” he said.

“The number of fish we get nowadays is really different from back then, we don’t get much lately compared to what we used to catch back then, I think it’s because of the changing weather patterns.”

Pelesasa also mentioned that he is fishing for two motives.

“When the catch is successful then I have to sell some for extra money but if it less then it’ll be just for my family.”

Pelesasa said life was hard because of less job opportunities and high cost of living.

He says the decrease in number of available jobs, coupled with the high cost of living, triggers crimes within villages.

“I don’t have a job around town, but this is my job now to look after my family and provide for them.”

“I just hope that my kids will do well in school and be able to have good job to look after their own families in the future,” Pelesasa added.

By Ulimasao Fata 17 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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