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Who is Facing Hardship?Hardship was viewed as worse in rural areas and outer islands
Although Tongan society is divided into three groups— royalty, chiefs, and commoners—there is a strong social support system to look after the welfare of those in need. During the assessment, however, people indicated that the extended family and community support system was weakening due to pressure exerted by an increasing number of family dependents, low income, and changing values. As a result, some individuals and families were facing declining living standards and a higher degree of hardship than the rest of the community. People identified the following groups as suffering most from hardship:
Hardship was said to be present in both urban and rural areas, with a larger concentration in the rural areas and outer islands. It appears that the further a community was from the capital, the lower its access to services such as water supply, power supply, and markets. Widow, 56 Years Old
“I was born in Longomapu Vava’u, where both my parents are from. I attended primary school there and left when I was in Class 6 to help my father look after my brothers and sisters because my mother passed away. I am the third child, but because I was strong and of big build, my father chose me to help him. “At 18, I got married to a man from Vava’u. We had three children and then my husband died. Eight years later, I met a man from Houma in Vava’u, and we were married. I was 26 then. We left Vava’u for Houma Tongatapu to live in my husband’s village. I left my children from my previous marriage behind in Vava’u with my brother. “My husband and I had three children and, in 1999, he got very sick. When he was well, we moved from Houma to Patangata, which is closer to the sea. This enabled him to recuperate and allowed me to fish for the family. Unfortunately, he died in 2001, and I decided to continue living here in Patangata. I am now living here alone. My eldest daughter from my first marriage occasionally visits me, for she is now married and her family lives here too. “I earn my living scavenging at the garbage dump for pieces of iron, aluminum cans, and copper. I also find other things to build myself a makeshift home. I earn about T$40–50 per month. I often dream that one day life will be easier for me since my strength is diminishing and I long for a much better life than what I have at present. “I hoped that my children would care for me some day, but at the moment they are all busy with their own lives. I fear that no one will take care of me when I can no longer do things for myself anymore.”
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