A mother of three is seeking assistance for a water tank for her family.

Maselina Levasa, from Fasito'o, has lived for more than two years with her husband and children in a small, traditional Samoan-style home made up of wood, surrounded by an old tarpaulin with holes and a roof covered in coconut leaves located not far from the main road.

She said that her family does not have access to water, instead they depend on relatives that live next door.

“The majority of the time we carry four buckets to fetch water from families that have access to water.

“For any family, it cannot function properly without water; it is because water is used for so many various uses that are essential for survival.

“Water is used to quench our thirst; in our family we mostly use it to prepare our meals, to wash our dishes or clothes, we need it to shower every day and not forgetting the toilet,” she added.

She told the Village Voice team that the water they use from their relatives is often disconnected.

“The water disconnection frequently happens at night or sometimes during the afternoon but it’s not Samoa Water Authority (S.W.A.) who is the water supplier," she said. 

"The officers from S.W.A. told us that some people further inland are the cause of the water being switched [off] without warning, there were times when there was no water supply for a month.

“Another reason why we really need water is to assist us with caring for our 75-year-old mother who is ill and we have to provide three meals a day and constantly needs to drink water."

Mrs. Levasa said that another struggle their family faces is the condition of their home.

“If only we had enough money to build a better home for our children but that is not case: my only concern is for children to grow up in a safer home," she said. 

“Our home is vulnerable because the materials are old; the roof leaks during rainy days because the coconut leaves are starting to have holes which we will need to replace.

“We are very grateful that Samoa did not experience any cyclones this year because that would mean the end for our home, but the fears are not over yet we have to be mindful of earthquakes."

Her family depends on their plantation for survival.

“The money we get is mainly from the taro we sell in baskets for $30, our expenses are usually for the children’s needs for school like fees, then food supplies, village and church commitments and no forgetting our electricity bills in the form of cash power we purchase," she said. 

 If you are willing to help the family of Mrs. Levasa from Fasitoo, please contact the number: 7289595.