I just love this picture of our fourth grade teacher, Louiseda Sumé and her students. To me, it captures the love, safety, and trust every child feels at the Matènwa Community Learning Center.
This is what we are striving to create for all children across the island through our teacher and director training programs.
While the news coming out of Port-au-Prince is enough to make anyone want to look away, we refuse to despair. Because of you, our quiet revolution in education for language justice and children’s rights continues to spread across Lagonav and on the mainland of Haiti. It isn’t just a dream; it’s a daily reality.
Together we are making a difference. Please enjoy your Good News update from Matènwa.
With hope and love,
Chris Low
Co-Founder and Executive Director | Friends of Matènwa
Five of our university students at Fondwa, proving that when Matènwa women get an opportunity, they run with it.
The Power of "Yes": 7 Women Fully Funded
I want to start with some news that makes my heart beat a little faster. Because of the incredible response to last month's scholarship appeal, seven young women from Matènwa— five at the University of Fondwa and two at the Wesleyan University School of Nursing—are now fully funded for their university studies this year.
Think about that. In a country where the path to higher education is often blocked by crisis and cost, these seven leaders are able to continue their education. They aren't just getting a degree; they are bringing the skills of the future back to their community. People like you did that.
To everyone who made this possible, thank you for saying "yes" to their potential.
We're proud of all of our Matènwa grads now in university!
6 More MCLC Grads Studying to Become Vets, Agronomists
Success creates a beautiful problem: more MCLC grads in university than ever before. Right now, six more are standing at the threshold of their futures. They’ve done the hard work, they’ve passed the exams, earned full-tuition scholarships, and they have the vision—they want to be the veterinarians and professionals Lagonav needs.
One is already fully funded and in business school. If you want read about what each student is majoring in and what they hope to do when they graduate, click the button below.
Top: (L to R) Chris, Zaza, and Samila. Bottom: Roselineda.
Did You Miss the Live Zoom from Matènwa?
We recently had a live Zoom from Matènwa—The Strength Behind the Scholarship—with Roselineda, one of seven female MCLC grads now in university, her mom Zaza, and her former teacher Samila. The energy was electric!
If you couldn't join us, you missed an honest, joyful, hopeful look at what Matènwa's future leaders are accomplishing with the support of parents, teachers, and people like you. And one of our supporters felt so uplifted by Rosalineda's talk that he told her upon graduation he would invest in her first business!
You can watch the recording by clicking the button below—it’s the next best thing to being there with us.
Ms. Francia's first grade class.
Breakfast Club: 4 Down, 5 to Go!
At MCLC, Our Breakfast Club is the fuel behind everything we do.
I’m thrilled to report that the children in our second grade class as well as all three preschool classes are fully funded for breakfast thanks to monthly donors!
We have an ongoing campaign for people to join the Breakfast Club and presently our focus is the first grade class. We already have 25% of that class covered!
It’s a simple, tangible way to make a direct impact on a child’s ability to learn. I'm in the club, and if you are interested, click below to join!
Jules, an MCLC student, with our colleague Williamson Jacques.
What Belonging Looks Like at MCLC
People ask what makes Matènwa different. It's not just the curriculum or pedagogy. It's also how people show up for each other and how everyone belongs.
There are no special education teachers at MCLC, but our teachers try their best to integrate whoever shows up. We've had students who are deaf, paralyzed, and several who we believe had undiagnosed ADHD.
Matènwa's Rhythm: Joyful and Resourceful
While the news on the mainland is full of chaos, life on Lagonav has a different rhythm. It’s a rhythm of hands in the soil, children’s voices in Creole, and a community that refuses to wait for someone else to save them. This is Matènwa's rhythm.
Abner, our co-founder, has always wanted a school band. Finally, we have some quality wind instruments, excellent teachers, and highly motivated students who come to play every Saturday morning.
I only noticed, after I watched this video twice, just how resourceful these students are. Forgot your drum sticks? Not a problem...
Creole Gardens in Matènwa
It's been raining a lot here lately. Gardens are flourishing and people have been planting their corn and beans. Check out our school and family gardens program: https://matenwa.org/programs/creole-gardens/
Thank you for your generosity and solidarity. I'm grateful that you are part of this community!
