The government’s airport plans at Satapuala has seen some families move inland of the village.

Among them is the family of Geneva Mapusone, 25, of Satapuala.

They relocated more than a year ago on the back of a promise for compensation by the government.

According to Geneva, life at their new place is a struggle.

“This is my in-laws’ village,” she said.

“Moving was really hard for them. They had to leave behind the things they had worked so hard, for so long, to build and develop.

“Now it has all gone to squander. It was a waste of money and strength, especially after many years of living there.”

Geneva said the families did not get any money for the relocation.

 “Leaving the life that we used to have was really hard,” she said. 

“Adapting to a new environment is even harder, especially when we were used to the life of living near the road. Now, it’s a different experience.”

The family, she said, sacrificed a lot for the move.

“We had elders buried here.

 “We dug up his grave and reburied him where we are living right now.” 

Asked about the help promised by the government, she said, “To be honest, in terms of financial support from the government, I have no idea about it because as I have said before, I’m living with my in-laws 

“So I have no understanding whether they received money or not.

“The only thing I’m sure of is that our new home, built inland of Satapuala, was funded and supplied by my husband’s family.

“Even other families who also moved had to build with their own money… I think we are still waiting for the help promised by the government.”

“It’s not our fault we had to move.”

Apart from that, Geneva is happy with life.

 She is a mother of two, who is committed to her duties of being a mum and a ‘nofotane’. She spoke to the Village Voice yesterday while she was at their cattle farm.