Plea for proper home

By Nefertiti Matatia 19 June 2018, 12:00AM

Meet Peleitala Saleifi from Saanapu.

She is in need of a proper shelter.

The unemployed mother of eight shared her main concern is the welfare of her children. There are more than four of them living together. Their house can only cater for all of them when it’s good weather otherwise when it rains, they would find it hard to find a dry spot inside their home.  

For more than 10 years she has been dealing with the rusty iron roofing of her house. Time gets really hard for them during rainy seasons.

 “We are in need of a proper shelter. This house leaks everywhere and it has been here for a very long time. We leave our buckets where it leaks so that it would not damage some of our belongings,” she told the Village Voice team. 

“It is hard when there are young children under your care and the house is not safe for them to sleep in. That is one of the daily challenges that we encounter.”

“This house has been here for a long time, most of my children have got their own families and they live with their spouses. I cannot ask for help when they have their own children to look after,” said the 61-year-old.

They do not have a proper kitchen. They live in an open Samoan house, but she is thankful that there is water supply and also a water tank that is very helpful to them.

“There are so many things that we want to complete, but there is always something that has got to happen. Nowadays everything that we would want would require money.”

“Most people live on a budget so that there would be some money left for the next day. Every day is a struggle and we have to work our way through it.”

“Having this water tank helps us save cash on spending it on the water bill.”

Nobody in their household works, her son is a carpenter but only gets a job when his skills are needed.

“At the moment we rely on my other son who lives in American Samoa. He is the one who financially supports us with everything that we need at home.”

“We have many commitments and the same goes for everyone else out there. The cost of living is just too much for my family.”

For anyone who is willing to help Mrs. Saleifi, contact 7777869. 

By Nefertiti Matatia 19 June 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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