Bridging Islands, Building Futures

In the quiet town of Gigmoto, Catanduanes, a new wave of learning has begun. What was once a school struggling with limited connectivity and scarce resources is now a hub of opportunity, thanks to the partnership between Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation) and Good Neighbors Philippines. Their joint project, “Transcending the Digital Divide,” is transforming Sicmil Integrated School into a model for digital empowerment in rural education.

For years, students of Sicmil Integrated School faced barriers familiar to many far-flung communities—unreliable internet, outdated learning materials, and few technological tools. This initiative changed that by establishing a digital library equipped with tablets, laptops, and a smart TV, giving teachers and students access to a wealth of online learning resources. Beyond hardware, the project includes teacher capacity-building programs to help educators seamlessly integrate digital tools into their lessons.

But with connectivity comes responsibility. Recognizing the importance of safety in the online space, the program also rolled out digital citizenship and online safety workshops for students, parents, and teachers, ensuring that technology becomes a tool for growth, not risk.

During the ceremonial turnover, Sun Life Philippines CEO and Country Head Benedict Sison, together with other Sun Life Foundation executives, joined Good Neighbors Philippines Country Director Jae Choon Lee and his team to celebrate the project’s launch. Both organizations reaffirmed their shared mission to bring education closer to every Filipino child—regardless of geography.

“This project embodies our belief that distance should never hinder learning,” said Kristine Millete, Executive Director of Sun Life Foundation. Meanwhile, Lee emphasized that the initiative represents “renewed hope” for over 300 students and educators rebuilding from challenges like Super Typhoon Pepito.

As the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, the Foundation continues to light the path toward inclusive education—empowering young minds in even the most remote corners of the country to dream, learn, and rise in the digital age.