A father of three and his family from Sataoa on the south coast of Upolu are in need of a water tank. 

Leatele Tauese Pauesi, 49, lives with his wife and children in their open-style built house on top of a hill.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Leatele said his family’s biggest challenge is having access to a water supply.

“We do not have access to a water supply at home, so I have to walk very far with two buckets twice a day to a water source like a spring to get water, which we always have to boil before we drink it," he said. 

“We do our washing and bathe at the spring, but my young children will use the buckets of water to shower at home.

“Our village has its own water supply scheme but I do not trust it because in all honesty the water is not clean and safe to consume unless you boil it. We cannot have access to it because they would require installing pipes but we do not have the financial support for it."

He said what also concerns him is the condition of their house. 

"This house was built through a programme from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the design of the house was built like an open house with a touch of a traditional Samoan style added to it, hence why it is quite open without any doors or windows.

“The whole house is made up of timber and the roof is made of iron roofing. Although I am grateful for the assistance, there are times we struggle — like if we put the curtains down when it rains it becomes suffocating in a way where it is too hot — and if we use mosquito coils I worry about my children breathing so much of that.

“Another concern is the safety, as you can see anyone just come and cause harm to us without us having to lock any doors and I worry for my wife and kids safety,” he added.

Leatele is the sole breadwinner in his family and his wages go towards supporting his family. 

“I may be employed but my salary does not cover all of our family’s expenses.

“Our first priority is our food supply and then village and church commitments, which we have to always allocate money for.

“We also are in need of electricity supply but it is not possible due to a disagreement with one of the villagers which left the Electric Power Corporation with no choice but to leave without connecting the power. 

"I also need assistance with equipment and tools to start working the land so we can depend on our plantation for vegetables as both a source of income and a food.”

If you are willing to help Leatele's family please contact the number 7622151.