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

Cherica’s Story

May 27, 2026

On September 1, children across Haiti will begin a new school year. For many, it’s a season of hope. For others, it’s a chance to start over.

Cherica is one of those children.

In the short video above, she shares—in her own words—how finding safety, kindness, and respect at Matènwa Community Learning Center changed her life. It’s a story of resilience, belonging, and the extraordinary difference a nurturing school can make.

This school year, 350 children will walk through MCLC’s gates with hopes and dreams of their own.

Your generosity helps welcome every one of them with nourishing meals, caring teachers, books, learning materials, and a joyful place to learn.

Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to say what Cherica says at the end of her story:

“For me, Matènwa is the greatest school in the world.”

More Stories

November, 2015 Update

Dear friends of Matènwa, We are pleased to present you with the latest update on our program activities. As we work to spread MCLC’s educational […]...

August Update 2016

Dear friends of Matènwa, Final exams are done, and school is out for summer! Thanks to your support, we completed another successful school year, here […]...

October 2016 Update

Dear friends of Matènwa, It is always a joy to send you new updates of all the different activities that are happening at the school. […]...