Home leaves mother in despair

By Nefertiti Matatia 27 January 2018, 12:00AM

For 21 years, Fofoa Salesio and her family has had to deal with inadequate living conditions. 

The mother of nine from Saleimoa Lotoso’a shared with the Village Voice team yesterday her fears of living in the house she calls home. 

She lives in a rundown Samoan house that leaks terribly when it rains. 

Mrs. Salesio says when this happens, they use plastics to cover the roof and plastic plates and boxes of mosquito coils are placed in areas inside the house that leaks.

“We have been living here for 21 years now and the house is not good and the position of the electricity meter box is not safe, especially when it rains,” the 42-year-old said.

The unemployed mother says her children are still in school and she says her husband and their eldest son are in need of jobs.

Mrs. Salesio says they rely on the land to supply their daily food supply.

“My husband usually works at our church, but we do not receive any money from it. We sell bananas and papayas. That is how we get food.

“We usually receive $15 a day by selling our crops, but there are some days when we do not receive any money because it was not sold. When we have no money, then we just have taro or banana for dinner and tea,” he added.

The start of another school year is another burden on her shoulders. Seven of her children still live with them while the other is married and her eldest child lives with her parents.

“I have nine children. Four of them are still in primary and my only daughter is in Year 7. I need help for my children.”

She says at times the tap water does not work.

For anyone who is eager to help Mrs. Salesio’s family, contact the number 7231529.

By Nefertiti Matatia 27 January 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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