Community & Family Engagement
Strengthening the bonds that sustain us
Our purpose
Our purpose
Strengthening the families, schools and leaders around every young person.
To strengthen the network of support surrounding every young person by engaging families, schools, community leaders and institutions as active partners.
What we do
- Community listening
- Parent and guardian forums
- School partnerships
- Community dialogues
- Faith and cultural leader engagement
- Volunteer mobilisation through the Friends of Matele volunteers
- Youth advocacy through the Matele Youth Network
- Community awareness campaigns
How it works
Like every pathway, this one follows the four stages of The Purpose Project: Discover, Develop, Lead and Impact.
Stage 1: Discover
“Who am I?”
- Listening to the community
- Mapping each young person's support network
Stage 2: Develop
“What can I become?”
- Parent forums
- Community dialogues
- School partnerships
- Welcoming Friends of Matele volunteers
- Livelihood groups (with Economic Empowerment)
Stage 3: Lead
“How can I serve others?”
- Matele Youth Network activities
- Youth advocacy
- Awareness campaigns
- Volunteer-led service
Stage 4: Impact
“How can I leave my community better than I found it?”
- Lasting partnerships
- Parent champions
- Community ownership
Programmes
Matele Youth Network
Young people raising their voices through advocacy, awareness campaigns and service.
Friends of Matele
Our volunteers, giving their time and skills to the community.
Family & Community Dialogue Series
Quarterly forums that keep parents, chiefs, and faith and school leaders part of the journey.
Building partnerships with local administration and chiefs, faith institutions, schools and parents' associations, community and women's groups, and community radio.Partner with us
Get involved
Partner with us, give your time as a volunteer or mentor, or get in touch about joining a programme.
Related Events
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- Planned
Community listening meetings
When: October – December 2026
Listening meetings with parents, schools, leaders and young people to understand the community's priorities.
Community & Family
- Planned
Purpose Cohort 1 launch
When: January 2027
The first Purpose Cohort begins its journey with the Discover stage, starting with mentor pairing.
All five pathways
- Planned
April Purpose Camp
When: April 2027
A holiday intensive that deepens the Discover and Develop stages and welcomes new members.
All five pathways
- Planned
Parent forums
When: May – August 2027
Forums that bring parents and guardians into their young people's journey.
Community & Family
- Planned
August Purpose Camp
When: August 2027
A holiday intensive that deepens the Discover and Develop stages and welcomes new members.
All five pathways
- Planned
Community Impact Day
When: September – November 2027
A showcase of young people's community projects, a thank-you to partners and a welcome to the next cohort.
All five pathways
- Planned
December Purpose Camp
When: December 2027
A holiday intensive that deepens the Discover and Develop stages and welcomes new members.
All five pathways
- Planned
Purpose Cohort 2 begins
When: 2028
A second cohort begins the journey, with the first cohort's graduates returning as mentors.
All five pathways
Planned dates come from our programme plan and will be confirmed nearer the time. See the programme calendar