Good Samaritan family help put Simati’s children to school

By Aruna Lolani 07 June 2017, 12:00AM

Help continues to roll in for a man whose plight featured in the Village Voice recently.

After he received some money and food assistance last week, Te’o and his wife To’omata from Australia visited the family with more help yesterday.

They offered to help pay for Simati’s children school fees.

“We just got here last Wednesday for a family saofa’i,” To’omata said. 

“To be honest I didn’t know any issues about Simati and his family, it was my daughter in Australia who sent me the details and begged me to make time to come visit while we are here.” 

“And here we are, with this amazing family, especially the thoughtful father who had the courage to ask for help.”

To’omata said they would pay for the children to attend Vaitele Primary school.

“We wanted to come see for ourselves and believe with our own two eyes what the article has written about this family.” 

 “My daughter living in Auckland New Zealand, Maiava Susan Smith is the one who sent the money for the uniforms and everything else. We will settle everything before going back.”

“It’s good we know the way here to the house and we will be visiting often until we go back.”

Toomata said visiting Simati’s family was an eye opener.

 “It’s very sad to know that this is exactly what you call poverty,” she said. 

 “I grew up here, I know life here and how people are trying their best to survive but it’s a different situation with Simati’s family.” 

“We struggle but we were still able to go school unlike the struggle this poor father goes through every day.” 

“I know these kinds of people. It could be me, it could be you, it could be any of the people in this world forced into this situation through family’s crisis, minimum wages, and many more.”  

“Simati’s story is not unusual.”

“Everything looks perfect here in Samoa but it’s not. Almost every family is in the same situation with Simati.” 

Simati found it hard to find words to express his gratitude.

 “I don’t know how to thank you enough for all your help,” he said.

 “Thank you so very much. You are indeed a good Samaritans.”

By Aruna Lolani 07 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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