MATTERbox
Huntington Bank recently packed 100 MATTERbox Hope Kits (consisting of 2,000 Hope Packs) at their Colleague Appreciation Week event. These kits will benefit YouthLink and Project for Pride in Living.
MATTERbox Hope Kits contain essential personal hygiene and oral care items.Care items could include soap, shampoo, body wash, comb, razor, shaving cream, hand sanitizer, socks, lip balm, deodorant, bandages, toothbrush, or toothpaste. Each kit contains 20 packs with 10 care items and a handwritten ‘you matter’ note for inspiration.
In 2025, more than 10,000 Hope Packs have been packed.
Learn more about MATTERbox Employee Engagement events HERE!
Chaya
MATTER recently partnered with the Jafuta Foundation to participate in the Sizinda Agricultural Show from July 22–24, where we engaged with local schools, farmers, Agritex officers, and community clubs. As part of our outreach, we conducted educational trainings focused on nutrition and sustainable agriculture, demonstrated all three of our Chaya recipes, and distributed 500 Chaya cuttings to attendees. This impactful event helped strengthen community knowledge and access to nutritious food sources, supporting MATTER’s mission to create healthier, more resilient communities.
Learn more about the Chaya Project!
These pictures show the Victoria Falls Hospital garden, which produces Chaya and vegetables, as well as patients and staff receiving a meal from the garden.
MATTER Education
Launching in two new schools, MATTER installed Technology Education and Learning Support (TEAL) stations in the classrooms of Gateway School and Dominican Covenant School in Zimbabwe.
Samkele Park
Exciting progress is underway at Samkele Park as we move closer to our Grand Opening in mid-August!
- Playground and Outdoor Gym Equipment: Manufacturing is currently in progress, bringing us one step closer to offering free recreational facilities for children and the broader community.
- Public Toilets: Construction is ongoing for what will be the first public toilets in Victoria Falls, a major step in improving sanitation and accessibility in the area.
- Pathways: Pathways winding through the park are nearing completion, helping to make the space more walkable, organized, and welcoming.
- Fencing: Perimeter fencing is being assembled to ensure safety and help define the park boundaries.
- Water Supply: A well has been drilled and is fully functional, providing clean water for drinking, irrigating the lawns, and operating the new toilets.
- Skatepark Timeline: While most features will be ready for the Grand Opening in August, the skateparks will be completed in October. Our global partner, Wonders Around the World—an organization dedicated to building skateparks in underserved communities—will begin construction in September due to availability.
- Youth Day Event: We recently hosted a free skateboarding event for Youth Day that welcomed over 1,200 kids. The day was a powerful celebration of youth culture, combining skateboarding, music, dance, art, fashion, and design.
- Growing Skate Community: The Victoria Falls Skate Club has now registered over 300 members, and we are actively expanding. In partnership with Push Project, we’re launching our fourth skate club in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe.