Father shares family's dream of better home

By Adel Fruean 07 June 2020, 1:00PM

A father of four has shared a glimpse of his family’s everyday reality dealing with limited resources as well as their dream of a better home.

On a typical Saturday morning, Samuelu Lima Ifopo tends to his vegetable garden.

That is when the Village Voice team visited his house.

The home of Mr. Ifopo is situated on the West coast of the island of Upolu, over 30 kilometres from Apia via the Main West Coast Road.

It has been ten years since Mr. Ifopo, his wife and children have lived in their small house built with surrounding wood and a thatched roof.

The family’s home can only be accessed through a dirt road which goes inland and is located away from the main road surrounded by a plantation.  

“Our main concern is the status of our house,” he said.

The 49-year-old stated that their family depends on their plantation for survival.

“Our home is not in a good living condition because the materials we used were all that we could gather.

“My only dream is to have a safe and proper home for my children but the only income we get is spent on necessities such as food supplies.

“So far, we do not have our own supply of water instead we depend on our neighbouring relative’s water supply that we fetch four to five buckets of water daily for food and water consumption.”

He added that due to financial instability, their family could not afford to build a proper home.

"As a farmer, I work hard daily so I can make sure my family is not starving and even if we do not have a lot of food but we have life.

“Another concern is in terms of improving sanitation, there is a great need of assistance for a proper waste facility for our family.

“I know that we do not have much but I am also grateful to God that no harm or deadly disease has affected our country especially its people.

“I hope it is not too much to seek help in a variety of areas we need such as  shelter, water, and waste facility but we lack financial support.”

If you are willing to help the family of Mr. Ifopo please contact the numbers: 7282066 or 7285597. 

By Adel Fruean 07 June 2020, 1:00PM

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