Matènwa Community School

Children and teachers engage in hands-on education, critical thinking, and mutual respect.

Institute for Learning

Teacher training for schools seeking to find a more effective way to teach.

Mother Tongue Books

Empowering children to become literate by reading and writing in their native language.

Women’s Leadership Fund

Seven Matènwa graduates are now continuing their university education—fully supported for the year—thanks to this community.

Creole Gardens

Students cultivate organic produce, practice environmental stewardship.

Summer Camp

Inspiring meaningful exchanges that strengthen community ties and inspire collaborative learning.

Art Matènwa

Nurturing creative expression by supporting women artisans.

Community Outreach

Help students and families care for elders and build lasting food security.

College Scholarships

Matènwa grads who've earned full-tuition scholarships need your help to cover costs like housing, meals, books, and more.

Support Matènwa programs

A Whole New Life

Jun 9, 2026

Kenny, a Matènwa parent, Cherica, a student, and Louiseda, a teacher who graduated from the school join Friends of Matènwa supporters across the globe as we celebrate the Matènwa Community Learning Center and Chris Low's 65th birthday!

And to honor Chris, the Once Here Foundation will match your gift to the Close the Gap campaign, but only until 6:30 pm Eastern on Wednesday! Please give generously in honor of Chris!

More Stories

How the “Matènwa Way” Travels

This is my third week on Lagonav Island, and yesterday I got to see—up close—the Hub School initiative, a next step in spreading the Matènwa […]...

2021 Newsletter

View the 2021 Newsletter...

November 2016 Update

Dear friends of Matènwa, It has been nearly a month since Hurricane Matthew ripped through Matènwa, but the aftermath of destruction remains. From massive loss […]...