“It’s my bank for my children’s future.”

Restoring small farms and forests in Samoa

The Alipia family moved to Auala several years ago to farm the land.

Malaeolemā Alipia, 64, quickly chopped up freshly picked cucumbers from her garden and stirred them into a pot of tinned fish that was simmering on the open fire.

Hanging by the door of the outside kitchen is a basket of cooked taro from yesterday’s umu, an above ground oven of hot volcanic stones, that will go with the meal.