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Is Hardship Really a Problem in Samoa?
The existence of hardship in Samoa is difficult for some to understand and accept. Communities have always taken care of all their members, sharing food and goods between the richer and poorer members. But this traditional system is strained by modernization -- the need for cash, shift away from subsistence farming, growing population, and movement of people to towns. Those who do not have jobs, skills, or any way to earn cash are suffering. Their dignity, pride, and in some cases their very survival, are in jeopardy. Some, especially the youth and school drop-outs, have turned to crime, prostitution, and drugs. The personal stories in this booklet show the very desperate situations some people face. It is important to listen to their stories and strive to understand the nature of hardship in Samoa. Only then can effective strategies be developed to address it and improve the lives of the poor who are facing hardship every day. Disadvantaged people suffer from “poverty of opportunity,” in which lack of access to jobs, education, and services restricts the opportunities available to them.
Unemployed Single Mother, 29 Years Old
“I left school when I was 17 years old. I made it to Lower 5 but did not pass the School Certificate exam. I decided to look for a job to help my mother. My father passed away two years after I left school, so my mother was struggling a lot to feed us. I worked at the Yazaki factory for three years. It was the only kind of employment I could find because of my education level. The wages were low, but it was something. “I got pregnant with my first child when I was 22 years old. It was one of those one-time incidents. My mother said I have to come back to Savaii, and it was for the best since I felt I was a burden to our family in Apia. I have not returned to Apia since. I had my second child when I was 26. I am still unemployed and single. My brother is the breadwinner for our family, but one day he will have his own family. My mother is getting old and I do not want to leave her. I feel I should stay and look after her. I want to look for another job here in Savaii but there is nothing available given my education level. My kids need to go to school and eat. I am still looking for a job but it is not easy. “I really have to think of the long run—we live in this tiny faleoo (native house) and life is already hard. I do not know what will happen with my job search, but hopefully I will get a job soon.”
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