Family seeks home improvement to protect baby from measles

By Adel Fruean 08 December 2019, 12:00PM

A father-of-seven and his three-year-old daughter are seeking help to improve the state of their Nofoali'i home to protect their newborn from measles as they recover from the illness themselves. 

The family of Tofa Fuaivaa lives 26.8 km from Apia on the west coast of Upolu. 

The 38-year-old lives with his wife and children in a small house made out of wood and iron roofing located within a 15 minute drive down a dirt road in Nofoalii.

“Our main concern is making sure our newborn child does not contract the measles virus,” he said.

Mr. Fuaivaa stated the problem is that their home is small but they have so many children including his three-weeks-old child.

“My three-year-old daughter and I got measles which, thankfully, we are recovering from but we did not take her anywhere because of how bad the virus was spreading.

“A home is meant to be a place where children can be safe but with the increasing numbers of deaths it does worry me that all my children will get sick.

“But we have done our part to try and isolate my wife and child in our small home.”

He also said that other problems they face from the state of their house is the roof leaking during rainy days.

“It is such a hassle to live inside our small home because Samoa is facing the cyclone and rainy season and that means frequent rainfall but we pray there is no cyclone; I fear for my children’s lives.

“My children and I find it hard to sleep at night when it rains because water is able to get in the area we sleep.

“Our home is made in a Samoan traditional style that would mean it built openly with no doors.”

His concerns also extend to the security for his wife and five young daughters who are at home when he is at work.

“Nowadays incidents that are crime related continue to increase in our country, I don’t want anything bad to happen to them," he said.

“I am the only one employed but my income is not enough to pay for water and electricity bills, food supplies and other things needed for our infant’s needs.

“Having a baby in a home means they have different needs from us who are old enough. I wish that my new born child could have a pram.”

If you are willing to help the family of Mr. Fuaivaa from Nofoalii please contact the number: 7740640

  

By Adel Fruean 08 December 2019, 12:00PM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>