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
2026 Annual Newsletter

2026 Annual Newsletter

A Matènwa grad named Teacher of the Year, 341 hot breakfasts every school morning, and 16 graduates in university: take a bird’s-eye tour of our campus to see where it all happens.

October 2026 Good News Update

October 2026 Good News Update

Four more Matènwa graduates have begun university. They join a growing group of our young people pursuing degrees with a shared hope: to return to Lagonav Island with the skills to help their communities thrive.

September 2026 Good News Update

September 2026 Good News Update

I have to start with something that made me smile. Our preschoolers were busy washing the LEGOs, and it turned into a full body water expoloration moment! It was joyful, funny, and also very Matènwa: children learning that a classroom is a community, and that we all...

August 2026 Good News Update

August 2026 Good News Update

We finished July summer camp and now I can hardly wait for September 7th. That’s the day more than 355 children will walk on to the campus of the Matènwa Community Learning Center—and mark the beginning of our 30th year! Whether you’ve been on this journey with MCLC...

April 2026 Good News Update

April 2026 Good News Update

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...

March 2026 Good News Update

March 2026 Good News Update

Look at Cykamy’s bright, happy face. She comes to school each day eager to learn because she is part of a community that believes in her—a community that includes you. We see the immense potential of our youth, and your generosity and solidarity is the reason that...

February 2026 Good News Update

February 2026 Good News Update

Here’s your good news update from the Matènwa Community Learning Center. Thank you for standing with this community. This is what your generous and regular giving helps to make possible — progress that builds over time and keeps moving forward. Peace, Chris...

2025 Annual Newsletter

2025 Annual Newsletter

Step inside MCLC and meet the students and teachers whose stories of perseverance will stay with you. You'll see what hope looks like, how it grows, and the difference that your generosity makes. View the 2025 Annual Newsletter

November 2025 Good News Update

November 2025 Good News Update

Do you remember the first time you planted a seed — maybe in your family’s garden or a school science project? The mix of excitement and patience as you waited for that first green sprout?

October 2025 Good News Update

October 2025 Good News Update

Classrooms where children grow curious instead of fearful and confident instead of silent. Classrooms that embrace dignity, equality, and a lot of creative play — because joy is part of justice too. The photo above captures one of those joyful moments — a...