Family’s daily struggle for water

By Nefertiti Matatia 21 February 2018, 12:00AM

Consider this. Think of spending thousands of tala every year to collect water given today’s ever-increasing cost of living? 

For 20 years, this has been the reality for Iuni Iuni and his family from the village of Satapuala-uta. 

The 32-year-old tells the Samoa Observer that paying for a vehicle to fetch them water is a daily expense.

This is because in 2018, there is no proper water connection to supply his family – and many others living in the same area.

“So what is happening now is that we pay for other people’s cars to go and fill up our buckets of water,” he said. 

“We live in the area that is called the block and it is a long walk to where we usually get water from.

“It’s like from the government land all the way to the Chinese shop at Satapuala.

“We spend $30 for the car to get water and the car usually makes three trips, which would amount up to $90, but we do it still because we need the water.”

Mr. Iuni says relevant authorities and organisations have yet to carry out a survey of families that need proper water supply in their area.

He shared that they also don’t have a water tank. 

“It’s a real struggle. Every day,” he said.

“Do the math, at the end of each year we would be spending more than $10,000 on transporting water, when we could’ve paid less for water bills.

“We moved here when I was 12 and this is what we have to do every day because there are so many of us in my family,” he said.

“I guess they would suggest to make a proposal in order for our tap water to be installed and it would cost money to go to town and there are so many families too that are waiting for water connection to reach their homes.”

He explained: “There should be a survey and the water pipes set up by government does not even reach our home and this could affect the future of our children.”

Added to his water struggle is living in a family of 10 with the majority being children who all attend school. 

In his family only two people work. 

“There are only two people who work in my family, my sister and her husband.

“We live together with my parents, two brothers and sister together with her husband and children, but there are eight children who attend school.”

The only help that they’ve been receiving is rainwater. 

Mr. Iuni relies on the ocean for financial income and the land for their daily food.

For anyone who is willing to help Mr. Iuni, contact the number 7253365.

By Nefertiti Matatia 21 February 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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