The Mains’l crew wrapped up its April 2024 trip in Victoria Falls this year.
A Global Impact
Our first visit was to the MATTER Career Readiness Institute (MCRI). The team was on hand to meet all the current students, sharing a presentation on working for corporations in the US, which none of the students had yet to experience.
We talked about different aspects of American culture, in relation to the workplace, as well as the interviewing and hiring process, and importance of knowing the vision, mission, and values of companies. The group was highly engaged, asked lots of questions, and shared their enthusiasm.
Congratulations all, and thanks to MATTER, and the students and facilitators Leandri and Peggy for hosting us!
Caption: (Left to right): The newest interns from the 3rd cohort, (standing) Craig, Tafarel, Marshal, Pertunia, Victo-Jorge, (sitting) Ntombi, Albertina, Mildred, Anita, Tanaka. The first three interns from Cohort 1, TK, Faith, and Muzi; Interns from Cohort 2, (standing) Anesu, Benon, Gerald, (sitting) Anesu, Benon, and Gerald, (Top Row) Coletor, Lyn, Colly, and Belinda.
Upon arrival home, the Mains’l team received the following e-mail message from Mildred, one of the newer students in the 3rd cohort.
We hope this message finds you doing well. We just wanted to reach out and say that we had a fantastic time during the workshop last week. I am so excited to email you on behalf of the cohort three group to thank you and your team for the time you spent with us last week.
Your team really impressed us with their cooperation, participation, and accommodation during the workshop. We were amazed by your teamwork, how you all agreed with each other, and considered every point valid. We were also thrilled by the fact that you had answers to every question we asked. We really appreciated how you accommodated us as students and interns and made us feel welcome. We learned a lot from you during the workshop. Your presentations were amazing, and we really appreciated how simple and formal they were. We are used to presentations that are filled with transitions and animations, so it was refreshing to see a different approach. Your kindness and welcoming attitude towards us was also really appreciated.
We were impressed by how Mains’l is full of emotions and how you understand how to treat people based on how they feel. We also admired how you treat everyone fairly and with kindness, putting your workers first before the leaders. This is rare in Zimbabwe and we are inspired to create a better way of living at a workplace. Our goal is to create a better version of ourselves, as well as to change our country and the community of Victoria Falls by creating a better working environment for employees both present and future. We want to say a big thank you to you and your team for the knowledge you shared with us. We now feel more confident when it comes to standing in an interview and answering questions. We appreciate your help, and we look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Mildred
Centres of Hope / Jafuta Foundation
The team’s final visit was to the Batoka Centres of Hope. Established by the Jafuta Foundation, the centre teaches valuable income earning hand skills for youth and women. The team was able to see the work in action – beading, sewing, embroidery, felt work, crochet and snare wire jewelry making. Such craftsmanship!
There is also an Innovations Hub located at the centre, which offers people the opportunity to learn valuable computer and coding skills. In addition, there is a resource library housing a variety of materials and information to the local community members.
Team members were able to purchase some of the crafts on site, with additional wares located in the Victoria Falls shopping boutiques. The team also had fun on the awesome playground. The playground was fully donated and built for the children to use from a local charity made from recycled tires and other reused materials. It’s truly humbling to see how much this centre is making a difference.
Thank you to Courtney and the Jafuta Foundation for sharing with the team this gem in the Vic Falls rural community.
A Glimpse Into The Future
As we continue our efforts to play our part in supporting and uplifting the communities, the Solutions team has been recently in Zimbabwe, paving the way for further developments!
Their recent activities underscore a commitment to not only provide immediate opportunities but also to foster a sustainable impact that supports local talent and bridges them to global opportunities.
Final Thoughts
We extend our deepest thanks to everyone involved, from the facilitators at MATTER to Courtney and the Jafuta Foundation, for their unwavering support in Victoria Falls! The dedication and collaborative spirit of our partners and team members, both local and worldwide, are essential to our mission’s success.
Stay tuned for our next update, where we will delve deeper into the Solutions team’s recent activities and share their exciting outcomes.
Pictured is the group of Mains’l interns from the MATTER Career Readiness Institute. Stay tuned for more information on from a Mains’l Mission trip that took place in May!