The Loto Taumafai Society has received a grant of $252,000 to purchase two new buses for the school, courtesy of the Embassy of Japan.

The grant contract was signed on Thursday afternoon by the Ambassador of Japan to Samoa, Genichi Terasawa and the Loto Taumafai Society C.E.O., Leta'a Maiava Devoe formalising  Japan's funding assistance for the procurement of two new buses.

The grant is part of Japan's grant assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects.

The school currently has two buses that they have been using for over 12 years and are both left hand drive vehicles, Mr. Terasawa said in his speech at the signing ceremony.

"As noted there in your organisation's proposal, the current buses being used are left hand buses with its age of more than twelve years,” he said.

“Likewise, the exterior and interior conditions are considered unsafe for continuous transportation of students from their homes to school and vice versa.”

The Ambassador said the presentation on Thursday demonstrates Japan's firm commitment towards providing equal and inclusive opportunities for all, and he is confident that the project will ensure safe transportation and a seamless accessibility for students of the school.

"Under the G.G.P programme, Japan continues to provide small and flexible grants to support development projects at the grass-roots level that is specifically designed to address basic human needs," he said.

He further stated that it is his belief that such assistance will contribute to the wellbeing of students in Loto Taumafai Society and become their pillar of strength and hope.

Loto Taumafai Society's Board Chair, Tagaloasa Matafeo, thanked the Ambassador for the grant assistance.

"It may be a grant but it's a gift from the people of Japan. Thank you very much," he said.

"We really need a change of our transport. Now we have two buses used for the transportation of the children."

He further stated that the two new buses will be kept on their premises and will be used wisely and for the development of the school.

The Embassy of Japan’s G.G.P is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include sanitary environment, water supply, health, basic education, vocational training, and rural infrastructure.