A mother-of-ten, newly uprooted from her home and living without access to plumbing and sanitation, is appealing for public help to get back on their feet. 

Losi Matua has lived with her husband and children at Salamumu in a Samoan traditional home made of wood and with coconut leaves for the roof for two months. 

A family dispute forced them to move from their previous home which left them without much to develop their home. 

The 50-year-old was conducting her normal daily chores when the Village Voice team encountered her and her children.

“Water is a resource that is needed greatly by any family to survive but because we just moved we are finding it hard to go about without having access to water supply,” she said.

Mrs. Matua said their family does not have a proper toilet and shower.

“Our family has just started setting up our livelihoods here so depend on my husband’s family for water; my children are tasked with fetching water everyday which is equivalent to more than ten buckets of water from neighbours and we also pay for it," she said. 

“Due to financial difficulties we cannot afford to buy materials to set up our own toilet and shower, at the moment if we want to use the toilet we try and ask permission from the neighbours. I know that our situation can be embarrassing at times but we have no choice but to continue living the way we know how.”

She added that despite having three of her children employed, their income is not sufficient to support all their family’s needs.

“The children’s earnings are used to purchase food supplies, farming equipment, and also use for village and church commitments," she said. 

“My husband looks after a small vegetable garden and plantation so he is in need of proper equipment to improve because we also depend on his plantation for food.

“As a mother, I am saddened whenever I see my children living in a poor state of a house.”

Another challenge faced by the family of the mother of ten is the poor condition of their Samoan house.

“The materials that was used for our house was gathered from the surroundings of our land. My concern is that our home is too small for me and my children.

“During rainy days, the roof leaks especially at the back of our house we used some iron roofing but it is incomplete the part that is used as our kitchen but we did not have enough materials.

“Another problem we faced when we moved is that it affected my children’s education. My children will have no choice but to continue next year.”

She added that her children, who are employed, tried applying for loans but it was unsuccessful due to low income.

If you are willing to help the family of Mrs. Matua please contact the number: 7223594.