The Catholic nuns who run the Mapu-i-fagalele home for the elderly in Samoa
have sought more government assistance to cope with the high cost of electricity.
A new electricity surcharge rate came into effect last week, the second increase this year since June.
The government has obtained AUSAID assistance for Mapu-i-fagalele to install a solar system to provide power for the home's kitchen and laundry.
This is in addition to government assistance of paying less than 2 thousand US
dollars on its power bills for the next 12 months, starting last month.
However, critics say most elderly parents are cared for by their own children at home.
They suggest that the government should also consider providing similar help to them.
