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

Cherica is one of 350 students at the Matènwa Community Learning Center this year — the highest enrollment in the school’s history.

More children are finding Matènwa than ever before. Some, like Cherica, were fleeing violence and instability. And when they arrived, Matènwa made a choice.

The teachers and leadership team at MCLC said yes, let's make room — and I couldn’t be more proud of them for it.

They didn’t say yes because the budget was fully covered or because doing so would be easy.

They did it because children were standing at the door.

That is why your support for this year’s Close the Gap for Kids in Matènwa campaign was so important.

Thank you for helping to close a $180,000 gap. Because of you, MCLC can keep providing what children like Cherica are finding here every day: well-trained teachers who care, a hot breakfast, books in Creole, school gardens, and a safe place to learn.

More Stories

January 2017 Update

Dear friends of Matènwa, Happy New Year! We wish you a healthy, prosperous, and successful 2017! New Year, New Homes! We have been working tirelessly […]...

From Matènwa to the Frontlines of Care

By Williamson Jacques | Matènwa Community Learning Center At the Matènwa Community Learning Center, we often say that education is not only about the classroom. […]...

April 2016 Update

Dear friends of Matènwa, MCLC is continually seeking new ways to improve its programs and make learning more fun and collaborative. In this spirit, we […]...