A family of 10 at Saanapu on the south coast of Upolu is seeking assistance to build a proper house.

Speaking to the Village Voice team was the father of the family, Tuavae Alo who lives with his wife, children and grandchildren in a small house that they built from discarded corrugated iron, old pieces of plywood and wooden posts. 

“My family’s main concern at the moment is the current situation of our house. We recently moved to my mother’s land at the end of last year because we were evicted from the land we previously leased," said the father of five. 

“We lost the case with the landlord and then we had no choice but to move out but it was sad because our family had lived in Matautu for so many years.

“Our current house is the result of the only resources that we could get our hands on because of the financial difficulties which we are in."

Mr. Alo said during rainy days their family struggle to stop the rain from entering their house.

“Even tarpaulin is not enough to cover the whole house when it rains.

“We are very grateful that Samoa did not experience any natural disasters like cyclones, but I am scared about the frequent earthquakes we have been getting because our house is not stable and I fear for the safety of my kids and grandchildren.

“For all parents, they want the best for their children but it saddens me that I cannot provide that luxury for them because we were not all born with a silver spoon or in other words born wealthy,” he said.

The 53-year-old and his two children are employed but their financial income isn't enough to sustain their family. 

“Although there are three of us employed, it is still not enough to cater for our family's needs. Our priorities for money allocation is food supply, church and village commitments, and especially to send the kids to school.

“Our other concerns involve water and electricity, we depend on our uncle next door for water and electricity but we need our own and I don’t want to be a burden on anyone but we have no choice because without these needs we would have never been able to survive.

“We also need a proper facility for showering and a toilet because the one we have outside is not safe but I have daughters and granddaughters, I feel ashamed at times because there is nothing much I can do, we are not financially stable to make better improvements,” he added.

Mr. Alo acknowledged God in keeping his family safe from harm.

“The most important thing in life is faith and despite all these struggles we have, we always return the glory and thanksgiving to our heavenly Father for his never ending blessings upon my family.

“I also want to thank Samoa Observer for this programme that you conduct in being the voice of the people especially those in need, in all honesty there are no other programmes like this I have ever heard of before.”

For those willing to help Mr. Alo's family contact the number 7625408.