Thanks to the Yazaki Kizuna Foundation transportation of players in the back of trucks will become a thing of the past with two vehicles donated to Lakapi Samoa.

The vehicles which cost more than $300,000 were handed over on Wednesday at the Lakapi Samoa office in Tuanaimato. The new bus was valued at $165,000 while the truck was at $160,000.

Lakap Samoa chairman Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegoi said this was part of a strong relationship between the Yazaki Kizuna Fountaion and the union.

"It is an honour for us to be able to view these vehicles, which are vital resources for operations,” he said.

"This kind of sponsorship is beyond the values of nature itself. It is a straightforward example of the courage and dedication displayed by the Yazaki Kizuna Foundation in the promotion of rugby in Samoa."

The Yazaki Kizuna Foundation supported Lakapi Samoa to accomplish new goals, improve training initiatives, and expand skills in ways that will only encourage young people to compete in the future.

The Yazaki Kizuna Foundation also donated another vehicle to SRWMA on Wednesday afternoon.

Yazaki Kizuna Foundation Managing Director and Managing Executive Officer Junichi Kitami explained that the vehicle cost more than $120,000.

He said it was an honour for them to support the non-profit organisations in Samoa and they have been doing this for the last seven years.

"Yazaki Kizuna Foundation is currently engaged in two major activities to contribute to the economy and development of human resources in Samoa, such as grants to small businesses in Samoa and scholarships to students at the National University of Samoa and University of South Pacific Samoa Campus," he said.

"This van will be used to support the transportation of SWRMA staff for field work such as cleaning beaches and recycling activities.

 "Yesterday I visited SPREP and strongly recognised the importance of taking measures to climate change and waste management issues. SPREP activities are based on international collaboration. Their activities are very important.

"But I think in the first place, waste management issues should be tackled and solved in each country. That is why we support SRWMA."

The Yazaki Kizuna Foundation stems from the Yazaki EDS Samoa which was established and began operations in 1991. The Vaitele factory manufactured automotive parts for export to Australia.

However, changes in the business environment forced the company to close its operations in 2017. Upon withdrawing from Samoa, Yazaki Corporation decided to establish the Yazaki Kizuna Foundation in 2018 to give back to the people of Samoa for their support.