Growing up blind in Samoa, Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo felt first-hand not only how hard life is living in poverty, but how much harder it is for disabled persons living in poverty. With no access to Braille, teachers trained to support her in school, or necessary medical care and support, she struggled a lot until her family was able to find the money to support her financially. Now, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, she lives as a university lecturer, working with her disability rights movement to help other people with disabilities gain a fulfilling education, in order to live a fulfilling life. Here is information about disability and poverty in Samoa and what Utumapu-Utailesolo has done to address it.

The Link Between Disability and Poverty in Samoa

People with disabilities make up a major part of Samoa’s poorest, meaning they are often unable to access necessities like health care, education and jobs. In 2018, the Samoa Disability Monograph estimated that 2% of the population who lived in poverty were living with disabilities. This was expected to have grown to 3% in 2021, meaning that 3% of the population desperately require medical assistance and education, and just are not receiving it.

What Did Utumapu-Utailesolo Do?

In 2001, Utumapu-Utailesolo founded Samoa’s Nuanua O Le Alofa (NOLA), a disability rights movement described as “an organisation set up by people with disabilities to advocate for their rights and equal opportunities as well” on the NOLA Facebook page. The umbrella organization includes Samoa’s Blind Persons Association, the Deaf Association of Samoa, as well as the Persons with Physical Disabilities Association of Samoa and, since its creation, has garnered more than 1,500 members.

NOLA works heavily with the Australian government, pushing it to acknowledge the severe obstacles that poverty poses to people living in poverty with disabilities in Samoa, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of its aims are:

1. Ensure discussions surrounding disabilities are pre-planned and accessible to those affected by the outcome;
2. Create more inclusive and accessible jobs and activities;
3. Adequate training and resources for the organization of persons with diverse disabilities;
4. Ensure accommodations provisions and budgets are available in all government-funded programs; and
5. Use the experiences of persons with disabilities in disability human rights initiatives.

Her work, along with others, has allowed people living with disabilities in poverty in Samoa to live a fulfilling life. Thanks to NOLA, the island of Manono is making strong progress in ending violence toward women and girls and improving accessibility, such as in its inclusive education policy teaching braille and sign language. Its close-knit community is working hard to make Samoa a safe place for all, especially those in poverty living with a disability.

Looking Ahead

Faaolo Utumapu-Utailesolo has faced many hardships growing up being blind and in poverty, but has not let her disability stop her. She is successfully working toward helping other disabled people in her position to lead a fulfilling life.

– Daisy McDonald

Daisy is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Alex Perez on Unsplash