Terms of Use & Community Guidelines

1. Purpose of the Platform

The Root Causes Challenge is an interactive formation tool designed to help people visualize and understand the challenges faced by neighbors experiencing poverty. Through simulation participation, users walk through the barriers, constraints, and systemic gaps that shape daily decision-making for individuals and families experiencing poverty. Financial figures, budgets, and policy rules presented in scenarios are illustrative models based on real-world data. They do not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice.

2. Dignity, Respect & Shared Values

Users agree to uphold:

• the dignity of neighbors
• the principles of human dignity and the common good
• a commitment to compassion, humility, and justice

All submissions must maintain a respectful tone and avoid stigmatizing language.

3. Confidentiality & Anonymization Requirements

Users contributing real-life case examples must:

• anonymize all neighbor details
• change names, dates, and exact locations
• remove any identifying information
• avoid sharing sensitive medical or financial details

Submissions violating confidentiality may be edited or removed.

4. Appropriate Use

The platform is provided for non-commercial educational use by:

• schools and educators
• nonprofit and community organizations
• faith communities
• civic, advocacy, and policy groups

Unauthorized modification, commercial redistribution, or misuse is prohibited. For licensing or partnership use, contact Matambanadzo Studio.

5. User Conduct

The purpose of this tool is to help people visualize the challenges faced by neighbors experiencing poverty by walking through the barriers and constraints they navigate daily. This includes understanding that neighbors often cannot make “good choices” because the choices available to them are severely limited by poverty, policy gaps, and systemic barriers. To preserve the integrity of this formation experience, users agree not to:

• harass, demean, or stigmatize individuals or communities
• submit harmful, discriminatory, or confidential content
• attempt to bypass or manipulate the simulation
• misrepresent the simulation as real casework
• use the platform outside its intended formation, educational, or advocacy purpose

6. Intellectual Property

Root Causes Challenge © 2026 Pamela Matambanadzo / Matambanadzo Studio. All rights reserved. Instructional design, narrative scenarios, simulation logic, and digital compilation are the intellectual property of Matambanadzo Studio.

7. No Warranty & Limitation of Liability

The platform is provided “as is” for educational and formation purposes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Matambanadzo Studio is not liable for any damages arising from use of the platform. We make no guarantees regarding accuracy, completeness, or suitability of simulation content.

8. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms periodically. Continued use of the platform indicates acceptance of the most recent version.

Contact for Terms & Licensing

For workshop materials, scenario adaptation, or licensing permissions, contact: pam@matambanadzostudio.com