Fathers Day is a bitter sweet day for some who have just lost their fathers, grandfathers, and uncles.
And not a good weekend for some families who were planning extra treats for their dads using their tax refund checks.
There has not been any tax refund checks for this week.
A mother from Tuala-uta told KHJ News, “It’s going to be just another Sunday for myself and my five children.”
She said their eldest child who’s in the military sent money for fa’alavelave and church obligations and she was banking on their tax refund to spoil her husband, the only bread earner in their family.
She’s been checking the Tax Office and spending money to go to the EOB and “its just been a waste of time.”
She said calling the Tax Office adds another headache as no one answers the phone.
A mother from Pago Pago expressed disappointment that requests for their refund checks for fa’alavelave have not been met.
She said her husband who’s working 70 instead of 80 hours is not expecting anything for Fathers Day.
The mother is still hopeful that Treasury will release refund checks today and refund check will be in that batch.
A father of six from Alataua District is not focusing on presents for Fathers Day.
He’s just thankful he and his wife have jobs, given the depressed state of the economy.
The young father lamented the demands of faalavelave when families are trying to make ends meet.
He said that with the current economic situation, church leaders, family matai and government leaders need to be realistic when it comes to faalavelave.
He says contributions should be scaled down and noted that people are experiencing all sorts of sickness from stress and the demands for money is contributing to domestic violence in some homes.
