Earlier this month, CEO John Elliott and Operations and Compliance Manager Kris Wright travelled to the Philippines to spend time with two critical groups in the Elliott Insurance network, our dedicated Manila operations team and the remote Aeta community in Zambales, where our latest Impact Donation project is now underway.
This was our second visit to the Manila office, but our first time venturing into the mountains to reach the Aeta people, one of the Philippines’ Indigenous groups whose lives and access to opportunity have long been shaped by geography and history.
Remote Means Remote
To reach the Aeta community and the Takuran Elementary School, our team crossed over 15 kilometres of riverbeds, navigating multiple water crossings before arriving at the base of a mountain. From there, the journey continued on foot for a full kilometre uphill.
The logistics of delivering the project were complex. Transporting large solar panels, heavy batteries, and digital devices required careful coordination and a huge team effort. The final climb into the mountains was physically demanding, but also humbling, knowing that local people have been walking these paths for generations.
A Region Still Rebuilding
This community sits in the shadow of Mount Pinatubo, whose 1991 eruption was one of the most devastating volcanic events of the 20th century. More than three decades on, the region continues to rebuild, and education is critical to long-term recovery.
Our aim is to support this recovery with sustainable infrastructure, technology, and learning opportunities that can benefit students and teachers for the next generation.
What We Delivered
The Elliott team, together with our local partners, helped to:
- Install solar lighting across the school and grounds
- Build and refurbish a basketball court, supporting both recreation and community engagement
- Prepare for the major solar and battery installation completed the following week
- Deliver laptops and tablets to improve access to digital education tools
And yes, CEO John Elliott was quite literally on the tools, wiring solar lighting and installing the new basketball court.
“Basketball is such a big part of Filipino culture,” John shared. “Everywhere you go, you see basketball courts. When we saw the court in the community, we thought this would be a great side project while we were here.”
A Small Donation. A Big Impact.
This entire initiative was made possible through Elliott Insurance’s Impact Donation program, where clients donate a small amount per invoice (typically just $2) and then this is matched by the company and staff volunteer to support projects like this.
“When you see $2 on an invoice, it doesn’t look like much,” said Kris Wright. “But to see it applied out here today, to this community, it’s everything.”
Education for the Future
In the months ahead, we’ll be supporting the rollout of an enhanced educational program that uses a platform widely recognised across the Philippines and other remote communities around the world. This will help both teachers and students access up-to-date learning tools, bridging the digital divide and unlocking long-term opportunity.
Thanks to every client who contributes to the Impact Donation initiative, your support is creating real change, one community at a time.
See the link to the video of our team talking about their experience on visiting the Aeta Community and what it meant for them.
The Elliott Insurance Green Broker Team
