Manulife Cambodia Strengthens Community Impact Through Volunteer Paid Time Off during Inaugural Global Impact Week
New Release
For Immediate Release Tuesday, May 20, 2026
Cambodia, 20 May 2026 – As part of Manulife’s inaugural global Impact Week, Manulife Cambodia brought colleagues together to support inclusion and sustainable livelihoods through hand-sewing name tag onto 200 backpacks for students with special needs (autistic children) at Rabbit School.
On 8 May, through the annual paid Volunteer Day benefit, colleagues spent the day volunteering at Villageworks, a local social enterprise that supports people with disabilities and rural women artisans in Cambodia. Together, Manulife colleagues hand-sewed the names of autistic students from Rabbit School onto 200 backpacks - a simple yet powerful gesture to celebrate each child’s unique abilities and superpowers, while providing comfort, supporting emotional well-being, and fostering a sense of belonging they truly deserve.
When colleagues volunteer together, it builds the connections that underpin strong, inclusive teams, strengthening social bonds and a shared sense of purpose - all important drivers of longevity.
Beyond its tangible impact for the children, the initiative reflects how collective volunteerism reinforces the values that support long-term well-being and community resilience. As a result, this year, 100 employees took part in Cambodia Impact Week, contributing a total of 400 volunteer hours.
Rotha Chan, CEO and General Manager of Manulife Cambodia, said: “I am so glad and grateful to join the 100 colleagues and management team members who volunteered for this meaningful cause - it was a Friday well spent. We hand-sewed the names of autistic students from Rabbit School onto 200 backpacks, placing a small note of hope and encouragement inside each one. Yet, as I held the pen, my heart turned toward the parents. I know the journey of raising a child with special needs requires immense strength and unwavering love. My personal note was for them: ‘Stay strong and hopeful!"
“At Manulife Cambodia, Impact Week isn’t just about the time we contribute by volunteering; it’s about the community we build and the message we send: ‘You are not alone’. These collective efforts show how we help build healthier, more fulfilling lives that support longevity across community; while reflecting the caring culture we continue to nurture at Manulife Cambodia,” Chan said
Impact Week is Manulife’s global volunteer initiative designed to strengthen well‑being, build social connection, and unite teams through purpose‑driven community engagement. It aligns with the work of the Manulife Longevity Institute - a platform focused on research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment to help people thrive at every age. Learn more at Manulife.com/longevity
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com
About Manulife Cambodia
Manulife Cambodia started its operations on June 28, 2012. As the first wholly foreign-owned life insurance company in the kingdom, we are passionate about our commitment to help build a better financial future for Cambodian families. For more information, please visit www.manulife.com.kh or contact us at 1800 211 211.
About Manulife Longevity Institute
The Manulife Longevity Institute is a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform to drive action that can help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Underpinned by a $350 million signature commitment, its focus is on helping people extend their healthy years, promoting greater financial resilience for all. As a global insurer, retirement plan provider, and asset manager, Manulife is uniquely placed to help lead this change. The Institute’s work will support Manulife’s Impact Agenda strategy by investing in organizations that are growing the longevity economy, convening research collaborations with leading academic institutions and think tanks, and producing thought leadership to advance awareness and action on the issues impacting populations as they age. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. The actions of the Institute will be guided by a Steering Committee of members of Manulife’s Executive and Global Leadership Teams and in partnership with a robust ecosystem of partners and experts who champion longevity across Canada, Asia, and the US. Canada, Asia, and the US.
For more information, please visit Manulife.com/longevity.
Media Contact
Vichean Chea
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