The struggles of the high cost of living

By Ulimasao Fata 25 November 2017, 12:00AM

People living below the poverty line in Samoa continue to fight two battles in life.

One, there is the expensive cost of living that seems to be a daily burden for families who struggle to make ends meet. 

And two, there is finding the money to address the increasing cost of living in our island nation. 

Le’ana Fa’amoe, 70, from Faleasi’u says there is no escaping these two daily battles and families must face them in order to survive. 

Mr. Fa’amoe was working on his plantation when the Village Voice team met him yesterday morning.

Mr. Fa’amoe said his plantations kept him busy every day.

“This is the only work I can do here for my family, work on my plantation to provide our food,” the father of five said. 

“Working the plantation is also an exercise for me because it helps me maintain my health and it’s also something I do to take my mind off the high cost of living.”

Mr. Fa’amoe said all his children were employed and they also helped their family. 

“Our family survives on the money sent by my children in New Zealand and also here in Samoa.

He also compared the expensive cost of living nowadays with life in the past. 

“I am just surprised about the expensive cost of living we have here today in Samoa compared to previous years.

“Things are all getting expensive nowadays.

“I really just can’t believe it because the value of $100 today is like using a $10 unlike what it was back then when $100 was like gold.”

Mr. Fa’amoe said his family was fortunate that his children were working.

“I am lucky because all of my five children are working now and they support my wife and I.

“I also know and understand the struggle they are facing because things are so hard nowadays in Samoa given the expensive cost of living.”

Mr. Fa’amoe says the high cost of living now in Samoa is a burden on most families.

By Ulimasao Fata 25 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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