Francia’s first graders learning to plant seeds in the school garden.
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?
At the Matènwa Community Learning Center (MCLC), that same wonder fills the air.
Check out this video with first-grade teacher Francia in the school garden surrounded by her students, who are buzzing with excitement. She explains that today, they’re learning to plant tamarin, soursop, and black bean seeds using a simple method: cutting discarded plastic bottles in half, filling them with soil, burying the seeds inside, and then watering them.
Their enthusiasm is contagious as they call out answers, laughing, and leaning in close to see what happens next.
It’s an ordinary school day — but a powerful reminder of what can grow when children learn with curiosity, care, and dignity.
Peace,
Chris Low
Co-Founder and Executive Director | Friends of Matènwa
What People Who Care Made Possible in 2025 — and Why It Matters
Haiti continues to face immense challenges—economic instability, gang violence, climate change, and rising food prices that strain families across the country. Yet in the midst of this uncertainty, the people of Lagonav continue to learn, teach, plant, and hope.
Because of the support of so many who care in 2025, education and opportunity took root in powerful ways:
- 344 students enrolled at MCLC this fall—our highest enrollment ever.
- 101 teachers were trained through the Institute of Learning, expanding the reach of Matènwa’s nonviolent, native-language, participatory approach to teaching.
- 32 school directors received mentoring in compassionate, community-centered leadership.
And your impact extended far beyond the classroom:
- 223 families planted new organic home gardens.
- 32 school gardens helped strengthen food security across Lagonav.
- 75 rainwater tanks and 30 wheelbarrows improved irrigation and increased productivity.
- 187 field visits provided hands-on mentoring in classrooms and gardens.
Each number represents a child learning in safety, a teacher equipped to inspire, a family nourished—and your compassion at work in the soil of Matènwa.
The gardens that people like you sustain are more than lessons in agriculture; they are anchors of stability and dignity. Every student who learns to plant, compost, or irrigate gains a skill that can feed a family. Every family that starts a garden takes one more step toward independence.
Because of so many generous and kind supporters, MCLC continues to show what’s possible when education is rooted in local realities and guided by community wisdom. When children learn in their own language, when teachers are supported, and when families grow their own food—entire communities thrive.
A Record Year of Learning and Hope
This fall, a record 344 students are enrolled in Matènwa’s primary and secondary schools — the highest number in MCLC’s history.
On a Zoom call last week, Samila Edmond, primary school director, and Ednot Obel, secondary school director, shared how they and the faculty stretched classroom capacity to welcome every child who wanted to register.
In a time when one in four Haitian children aren’t in school, they simply couldn’t say no.
“Every child deserves the chance to learn,” Samila said. “We couldn’t turn them away — not when families have sacrificed so much to keep believing in education.”
Their decision is more than logistics. It’s an act of hope—one that reminds us what’s possible when concerned and caring community leaders feel empowered and supported.
At the Heart of Learning, Something Is Growing
Here on Lagonav Island, students learn that when they care for the soil, they are caring for their community. Thanks to our generous supporters, MCLC continues to show what’s possible when education grows from local roots—where each lesson nurtures self-reliance, teamwork, and dignity.
In October, fifth-grade students harvested cassava from the school garden, then washed, grated, and pressed it to make kasav, the traditional Haitian flatbread that sustains so many families. As you can see in the video above, they didn’t just observe the process—they completed it from soil to stove. Through this, students saw how their labor could become nourishment for the whole school community.
Tamika, an MCLC grad now in Wesleyan’s nursing program.
From Matènwa to University
Dreams Taking Root
Thirteen LKM graduates are now pursuing their dreams in higher education — from veterinary medicine at the University of Fondwa to nursing at Wesleyan University on Lagonav.
You’ll meet four of them in MCLC’s 2025 Annual Newsletter coming soon to your mailbox, including these two:
Becanlove, whose professors call him one of their most dedicated vet students, and Tamika, who, as you can see in the video above, is a calm, focused presence in Wesleyan’s nursing program.
Their journeys show what’s possible when children grow up with dignity, confidence, and love.
Good News to Share – Thanks to a Generous Donor
We’re thrilled to share that Friends of Matènwa received a $5,000 grant from #HalfMyDAF, thanks to a donor who gave through a Donor-Advised Fund and pledged to spend down half of it.
Their decision to share now — not later — is already multiplying opportunity for children and families on Lagonav Island. To learn how you can do the same, visit https://www.halfmydaf.com/
This Giving Tuesday: Be 1 of 30 new Breakfast Club Members!
A dependable school breakfast helps students start the day focused, energized, and ready to learn. You can make that possible for even more children.
Start a monthly gift of $30 or more and the Once Here Foundation will match it meal-for-meal — so two children receive a nourishing breakfast every school day.
Feed Two Children Every Day → Click Here & Make Your Giving Tuesday Gift Now
Coming Soon: A New Way to Connect
Later this month, we’ll launch our new Friends of Matènwa website — making it easier to see your impact, explore stories from Lagonav, and find ways to get involved.
And keep an eye on your mailbox — our 2025 Annual Newsletter is on the way, full of photos, stories, and highlights you made possible.
