Latest News

The Nook Hall at Matibi Nook Hub has been repainted and its electrical system upgraded with support from Friends for Matibi Association, creating a safer, more functional and welcoming space for the community.

Five days of teamwork, reflection and discovery: watch our new film from the 10th-cycle psychosocial support camp at Mafuramhepo Lakeside Resort.

At 17, Believe Moyo knows that where you start does not have to determine where you end up.

There are moments in a learner’s journey that go beyond the familiar moments that challenge, inspire, bring people together, and create memories that last long after the experience is over.

The Nook Project launches its Mobile Kitchen Caravan — a new Business Accelerator initiative that raises funds locally while giving learners hands-on food preparation experience and a chance to earn a living.

Matibi Nook learners gain hands-on construction skills building new livestock pens for the centre's farming program.

Monika Beck wins the annual Friends for Matibi Jass tournament, succeeding Myrta Mohler — with pool party to match!

Community volunteers complete a 5-day Youth Leadership & Psychosocial Support Training to serve children and youth.

Friends for Matibi holds planning meeting with hospital board to launch Theatre Renovation Phase 2.

Friends for Matibi distributes stationery packages to 30 OVC learners across three primary schools in Ward 3.

Female learners at The Nook build a bench — combining metal fabrication and carpentry to prove that skills know no gender.

Join us for a Jassen tournament in Meilen — CHF 100 entry, fully donated to Matibi.

Nook learners marketed and sold a large portable fowl run at a local exhibition to an entrepreneur from Matibi.

Matibi Nook Hub held its 9th Cycle Exhibition on 8 May 2026 — a vibrant walk-in showcase drawing large crowds and sparking real business inquiries for learners.

FFM and SwiZim Trust showcase the Nook self-learning model at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2026 — visit Marquee CD24.

Matibi Nook Hub students design and build a solar-powered model house as the campus itself runs entirely on renewable energy.

Metal fabrication, makeup and beauty, and bakery learners turn hands-on training into real entrepreneurial opportunity.

Nook learners practice organic farming with hands-on garden work.

Nook learners journey to Masiye Camp for experiential learning and growth.

The 9th Cycle empowers learners with goal-setting skills for personal growth.

FFM transforms women's lives through sustainable agriculture, skills training, and the innovative Nook Centre.

Our team gets stuck in the mud and discovers that Nook values work everywhere - even on rural roads!

Learners discover creative talents through art, painting, and self-directed exploration.

2025 brought challenges and successes. 8th Nook exhibition attracted 150 visitors, 9th cycle started with 25 learners.

17 participants raised USD 1,668.50 at our annual Boccia Tournament. Congratulations to Oliver Müller!

Successful outreach campaign in Ward 3 attracted new learners and strengthened community engagement for the 9th Nook Learning Cycle.

The Nook's 8th Cycle Exhibition drew 150 community members celebrating exceptional vocational achievements. Highlights included metal fabrication, culinary arts displays, and a restaurant job offer for the culinary team.

The Matibi Nook is proud to announce its 8th Cycle Exhibition on Friday, October 31st, celebrating hands-on learning, creativity, and community empowerment. Join us at Murawi Business Centre, Mwenezi, for a showcase of exceptional work from our Metal Fabrication, Culinary Arts, Hairdressing, Tailoring, and Graphics Design teams.

Nook learners carried out a community service initiative at Nehanda Clinic, repairing furniture, cleaning, and beautifying the space through teamwork and practical skills.

8th Nook cycle learners created a vibrant Early Childhood Development play center using recycled tyres and local materials, bringing sustainable community development to life.

Join us on November 22, 2025 at Bocciodromo Uster. Challenge defending champion Rosy Eymann and support Matibi projects.

Nook learners transform their campus through landscaping projects, gaining practical skills in horticulture, lawn care, and environmental stewardship.

Matibi Nook Hub leads community efforts against drug and substance abuse through focused group discussions, helping youth identify root causes, share personal stories, and learn positive strategies for making healthier life choices.

Culinary Arts students showcased their dishes to industry experts and restaurant owners at Neshuro Business Centre, receiving valuable feedback that bridges classroom learning with real-world experience.

At Matibi Nook, self-learning and innovation are the foundation of everything we do. Listen and Kuda are designing and fabricating a bed through metalwork and engineering precision, demonstrating the power of hands-on learning, collaboration, and persistence.

The Nook team assisted learners in prototyping welding projects, demonstrating practical skills development at Zimbabwe's first self-learning innovation hub.

Our learners took a creative break to learn home detergent production, successfully creating four types of cleaning products under expert guidance from our nook key holders.

Our learners have advanced to the prototyping stage, working with real materials and engaging with clients. See the transformation from recycled concepts to professional constructions.

Friends for Matibi Trust is committed to building a future where community development and environmental protection go hand-in-hand with two transformative Green Projects: expanding to a 50kW off-grid solar system and installing a community biodigester.

Community gathering in Meilen raised CHF 1,732 for Matibi projects through Swiss card games, with Myrta Mohler winning and Monika Beck (2024 champion) handing over the trophy.

Psychosocial Support Boot Camp launches at Mafuramhepo Lake Resort with team-building, sports, and community activities focused on self-discovery and personal empowerment.

Successfully completed the final project prototype facilitation session, setting the stage for the upcoming project-building phase after a strategic two-week break.

FFM team completed piping system at Kotamaurime garden, assessed Matibi hospital garden repairs, and conducted strategic planning meeting at Chimurudze garden for sustainable infrastructure improvements.

The Nook team visited Njeremoto garden for a collaborative meeting with the committee and vegetable procurement for our learners. This visit highlights the beautiful connection between our Organic Gardening project and Skills for Life program, where learners gain practical experience while supporting local food systems.

Our Skills for Life program integrates volleyball training to develop teamwork, communication, and healthy lifestyle habits among Nook learners.

Continuing our commitment to community health, we conducted a comprehensive health and hygiene session at the Nook, distributing essential hygiene supplies including bath soap, bar soap, and Vaseline to all participants to enhance personal wellness and hygiene practices.

Join our transformative 9th Nook Learning Cycle from November 15, 2025 to March 2, 2026. Develop digital skills, entrepreneurship abilities, and practical income-generating competencies in rural Zimbabwe.

Friends for Matibi conducted a successful goal setting facilitation session in partnership with Simplex, empowering youth with essential project planning skills. The interactive session combined group discussions, individual reflection, and hands-on activities to teach participants how to set SMART goals and identify community-focused projects.

The FFM team and Nook learners successfully completed welding and installation of the new solar stand for the solar-powered Nook borehole pump. This collaborative effort involved digging stand holes and reinstalling the Nook solar stand, showcasing practical engineering skills and sustainable infrastructure development.

Friends For Matibi leads comprehensive skills training programs in rural Zimbabwe, empowering youth and adults through practical vocational education in agriculture, construction, business, and technology. This community-centered approach builds self-reliance and creates lasting economic opportunities.

Friends for Matibi launches transformational 4-day psychosocial support camp at Great Zimbabwe National Monument, combining adventure therapy with cultural inspiration to prepare learners for skills development success.

Our skilled technical team has successfully completed the precision welding and mounting phases for solar panel stands, demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship in renewable energy infrastructure development.

Friends for Matibi transforms community development through inclusive outreach, strategic partnerships, and meaningful engagement. Discover how grassroots dialogue, collaborative training, and people-centered initiatives are building a self-reliant community where local voices drive sustainable development in rural Zimbabwe.

A quiet transformation is taking place in drought-prone Matibi, Zimbabwe, where the community is embracing permaculture as a sustainable solution to food insecurity. Through hands-on training programs, families are learning techniques like companion planting, water harvesting, and composting to create year-round food security while building environmental resilience.

Nook learners lead innovative beautification project, transforming old tyres into functional seating and car park markings while learning about sustainable waste management and climate action.

The newly released 4th Cycle Impact Report showcases remarkable achievements in community education and entrepreneurship. With 128 learners engaged across diverse programs including music production, metal fabrication, tailoring, and carpentry, the Nook Hub continues to transform young lives through innovative self-designed learning approaches.

The 9th traditional Jass tournament takes place on August 9th. Again at a new location – with the same hosts.

An important step – with room for improvement. The renovation of the operating room at Matibi Mission Hospital marks an important milestone for...

The successful completion of Phase 1 operating theatre renovation at Matibi Mission Hospital marks a significant milestone in improving healthcare...

A new era for healthcare in Matibi. The hospital has long been a beacon of hope for the surrounding community.

We bid farewell to our founder and friend Bruno Müller, who passed away on December 10, 2024, at the age of 86.

What a year! Never before could the local team implement so many projects! Our structures are growing and supporting us.

With the support of the Leopold Bachmann Foundation, we are constructing a hostel for the Nook learning center.

And she did it again! After Graziana placed her ball so close to the target ball that they touched, Rosy won in a grand manner.

Our organic gardening initiative has successfully established six operational gardens across Matibi communities, providing sustainable food security through permaculture techniques and solar-powered irrigation systems.

What a great last throw! In the final, Rosy secured the wandering trophy as the best Boccia player of 2023!

Project Defy has compiled a comprehensive report on the second Nook cycle covering learners and goal achievement.

For the first time, we welcome a female doctor to Matibi. Welcome, Dr. Moreblessing Abigirl Ganjiri!

Nook operation at full speed – Gardens – E-Library. This report is a short version of the Christmas report.

142 jars of jam, jelly and chutney in 27 different flavors and twenty stone figures from Zimbabwe.

It was another wonderful evening at the Bocciadromo Da Cono near Letzigrund. Monika Beck won the trophy deservedly.