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our Story
Meaningful stories reshaped our lives and sparked MAD. That's why we believe in them.
Our MaD journey
2012- How it all began...
Tom Graham (our founder) arrives in the Philippines to write business reports for an international inflight magazine.
connection
Tom meets Raf, the founder of a chain of hostels, on a volunteering trip and together they hatch the plan to set up a social enterprise..
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foundations
Tom and Raf founded MAD (Make A Difference) Travel in 2015 - joined by Andrea, who herself ‘ditches’ the advertising world eager to discover, and then share, more authentic stories.
2015 - 2020 IMPACTFUL JOURNEYS
Mission
We take schools, corporations, and travelers to local communities across the Philippines.
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Storytelling with Purpose
Sharing stories of indigenous tribes, urban communities, and social entrepreneurs.
Educational Focus
Highlighting issues including climate change, cultural degradation, and poverty, along with solutions such as reforestation, livelihood opportunities, and tourism programs.
Recognition
Winner of Japan’s prestigious Good Design Award, as well as Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Award.
Media Features
MAD’s pioneering work becomes featured by various news and media outlets. Top 20 finalist, United Nations World Tourism Organisation 2018 Startup Competition.
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2021 PIVOT TO DIGITAL
New Vision
The MAD team meets global innovators and investors Rebecca Xiaowei, Xinyan Yu, and Li Lu, sharing the vision:
New Company
Global Connection Learning (MAD Courses) is born, leveraging interactive video technology to recreate the travel experience.
Expansion
Thanks to this innovation, our mission can expand to empower participants worldwide to connect to local communities as if they were there in person.
OUR GLOBAL VISION
The Present and FutuRe
Goal
Engage 5 million people to take informed action on issues that matter to them, via the creation of 5,000 local, authentic, and inspiring stories.
Outcome
Global citizens worldwide will have the tools, skills, and knowledge to take an active role in their own local communities, developing solutions and contributing towards a kinder, fairer world.
OUR VALUES
What we live By
These are our guiding principles in everything we do at MAD Courses. They shape the way we create our products, service our clients, work with our partners.
Curiosity
We know that empathy starts with the curiosity to explore, understand and appreciate various perspectives.
Trust
We believe in and rely on authentic relationships. We hold ourselves accountable and take ownership for our actions.
Inspiration
We spark inspiration because taking meaningful action often begins by connecting with people who are creating positive change.
Collaboration
We believe that creating shared value unleashes everyone’s potential. We know that we can achieve more when we work as a supportive team and partner with others.
OUR TEAM
Teamwork makes the Dream work
We connect the business, education and non-profit worlds because we believe that everyone has the potential to create and share meaningful stories that drive positive change in the world.
Our partners include:
Our partners include:
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Tom Graham
Founding Director & Chief Inspiration Officer
Tom steers our company's direction, empowers our team, and forges valuable partnerships with corporations and schools.
A story that changed Tom:
“Kuya Bengie’s story about growing up in the Philippines. We were similar in age but went through very different life paths! I never realised one person could teach me so much.”
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Suji DeHart
Education Innovator & Founding Partner
Suji provides the curriculum backbone of the company and creates innovative courses around sustainability and community engagement. Read her article here.
A story that changed Suji:
“I remember meeting Czar Carbonel and her story of surviving a flood in Manila and then setting up a social enterprise (Magwai) - truly inspirational!”
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Andrea Legaspi
Lead Storyteller
Andrea spearheads our video development and empowers other people to become “storytellers for good” through our products. Read Andrea’s VICE article here.
A story that changed Andrea:
“Hearing the Aetas of Yangil talk about how they want to rehabilitate their ancestral land has forever changed my perspective of sustainability!”
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Xinyan Yu
Founding Partner
Upon graduating from the University of Oxford, Xinyan has taught and designed academic courses, with a particular passion for exploring unconventional approaches to learning which support student engagement. Xinyan helps to grow and manage partnerships across the Asia region.
A story that changed Xinyan:
“I remember meeting Medhi on a trip to Marrakesh, who shared with me his experience growing up in a family with seven siblings. His story truly inspired me to think about education and family relationships from a different perspective.”
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Li Lu
Founding Partner and Finance Manager
Li Lu earned a Master's in International Finance from the University of Glasgow, and her strong background in operations, and finance, as well as valuable insights into both Asian and Western culture, support MADs global expansion.
A story that changed Li Lu:
“I remember meeting Xiao Ying and hearing her story about overcoming poverty in a rural village in China and then founding a non-profit organization focused on children's education (Light of Hope). It was profoundly inspiring!”
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Aline Thuault
Curriculum & Impact Lead
Aline provides the educational connections to the meaningful stories we tell and ensures that our programs are creating positive impact.
A story that changed Aline:
“When my students send feedback like, “The project to develop our own social enterprise really pushed our limits and gave us the opportunity to explore many things. I really enjoyed it!” or “It was an exceptional experience that I personally enjoyed a lot!” after our programs, it genuinely motivates me. It’s encouraging to see that we’re making a positive impact and helping them learn how to contribute to a better world for themselves and others.”
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Raf Dionisio
Program Mentor & Founding Partner
The lead of MAD Travel, Raf supports MAD Courses develop immersive programs with local communities. Watch his TEDx talk here.
A story that changed Raf:
“Meeting former chieftain Erese back in 2016 was life changing. Instead of asking for money, he asked us for seeds instead, so his generation and generation after him can plant a rainforest and become a sustainable indigenous community.”
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Rebecca Xiaowei
Founding Partner
Rebecca Xiaowei holds a Master’s in International Management from Australian National University. With over 20 years in internet derivatives, TMT, cybersecurity, and education, she blends business expertise with a deep understanding of Western culture. Passionate about digital education and cybersecurity, Rebecca focuses on operational management, strategy, and team building to scale the online education platform and explore new markets.
A story that changed Rebecca:
“Education gives one a vision of the unseen future. Becoming the first female university graduate in my family broadened my life, and being a lifelong learner empowers me to grow, no matter how old I am.”
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Risa Barcelona
Marketing & Design Lead
Risa amplifies our storytelling impact through captivating digital designs that resonate with diverse audiences.
A story that changed Risa:
“Ate Erlinda, who is an Aeta elder in Bataan, is a very inspiring figure to me. She takes pride in what the forest provides for her family and community and I think that’s how we should all respect our forests.“