Working Toward Clean Water for Four Communities
In the mountains above the Matènwa community on Lagonav Island, a place called Little Spring is a lifeline. Every day, families depend on this spring for the water they need to drink, cook, wash, and care for their homes. But getting that water is not simple. People must climb down a steep, rocky ravine, fill containers holding up to seven gallons, and carry them back uphill. The trip can take 30 minutes each way — and during drought periods, families from higher elevations may walk as long as two hours one way. The burden falls most heavily on women and girls, who are primarily responsible for collecting water. About one-third of the households in this area are led by women, making reliable access to water especially important for family stability and safety. (Photo: Local women and girls walk back up the steep and rocky path after collecting water from the spring.) What we hope to do If our recent grant application is approved, Friends of Matènwa and the Matènwa Community Learning Center (MCLC) will install a solar-powered water pumping system to bring water from Little Spring up to road level. The project would: Serve approximately 800 people each day across four rural communities Pump water uphill using nine photovoltaic solar panels and a submersible solar pump Store water in a 1,600-gallon roadside tank Provide access through two water kiosks at road level This simple change would eliminate the dangerous daily climbs into the ravine and save hours of labor for families. […]
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 […]…
How the "Matènwa Way" Travels
This is my third week on Lagonav Island, and yesterday I got to see—up close—the Hub School initiative, a next […]…
What comes next . . .
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was clear about what justice meant. It wasn’t a theory or a slogan. It was […]…
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Thank you Greater Good A Video in Celebration of your 10 Year Anniversary.
Proudly teaching in one’s mother tongue in a non violent encouraging learning environment which values children’s opinions and creativity.
March 2017 Update
Dear friends of Matènwa, I am pleased to share with you photos from my February trip to Matènwa. I was delighted to witness so many wonderful teaching and learning moments happening around campus. 1. Preschoolers plant with Balaguel. 2. Fifth graders study…
Evaporation
The 5th grade studies evaporation using common concrete experiences in their lives.
February 2017 Update
Dear friends of Matènwa, One month into the new year and LKM is already bustling with activity! We are so happy to share all the updates that you have made possible. Power in Numbers! Over 400 advocates took to the streets of Nan Mango in Lagonav to spread awareness…
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 to rebuild after Hurricane Matthew! We chose an environmentally- friendly and resourceful method that incorporates…
Leadership from Lynchburg College
We were honored to have a Haitian exchange student from Lynchburg college come speak with our high school students about leadership. The Diocese of Richmond’s Parish Twinning Program first introduced us to pastor Ann Gibbons almost 20 years ago! Students have come to…
7 Years later Matènwa Celebrates and Remembers
Our preschool through first graders hadn’t been born yet on Jan 12, 2010. At our all school meeting today, we realized that half the students had no recollection of how the earth shook in Matènwa that day nor how frightened the teachers and students were as…
Ringing in the New Year with New Homes!
Walter’s house is the first to be completed since we began rebuilding after Hurricane Matthew. We have been working hard to repair and build using a method that is not only sturdy, but environmentally friendly. The houses are made with the usual mixes of sand and…
Hurricane Matthew’s Damage Assessment
Hurricane Matthew is old news for some, but not for the people who were hit by it. For those of you interested in the damage assessment of the whole island of Lagonav here is a chart below. We thank all of you who have contributed to our Hurricane fund to help our…
Thank you Sue Fiallo!
Thank you Sue Fiallo for bringing Friends of Matènwa a donation of soccer uniforms and socks and goalie uniforms from Tasis School in Puerto Rico all the way to Boston. We also appreciate the mosquito nets, which are especially needed after Hurricane Matthew. I will…
Fundraising Events in the UK!
What a gift it was when Johanna wrote to me to express her desire to help Matènwa after Hurricane Matthew. She had already started a GoFUndMe page and was planning a series of other events. Thanks to you and all your hard-working friends for putting together a…
November 2016 Update
Dear friends of Matènwa, It has been nearly a month since Hurricane Matthew ripped through Matènwa, but the aftermath of destruction remains. From massive loss of crops to piles of rubble where homes once stood, the devastation is brutal for those who are lacking…
A Surprise Welcome Home
January 15, 2026
A reminder of what life is really about. Welcome home, Chris! Yesterday, I witnessed something that touched me deeply — a moment that felt like a reminder of what life […]
2025 Annual Newsletter
December 8, 2025
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 […]
November 2025 Newsletter
November 22, 2025
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 […]
October 2025 Newsletter
October 12, 2025
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. […]
Newsletter 2024
November 30, 2024
School Opens ENTHUSIASTICALLY!
December 7, 2023
I’m so happy to share this video. It was a joyful first day of school at the Matènwa Community Learning Center. They successfully opened their doors on-time despite the growing […]
Newsletter 2023
November 30, 2023
Trying to figure out a way YOU can help Matènwa?
February 1, 2023
Pam Smith, our dedicated volunteer, long-time friend, and talented mixed media artist had an exhibit on display at Lexington Pierce Gallery November and December of 2021. All proceeds from the […]
The Story of the Matènwa Community Learning Center
February 1, 2023
Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child. How do you build a school? For Chris Low, it started with a simple pencil. Chris Low used to teach at […]
It's All Smiles in the High School!
January 31, 2023
Back packs were ordered for all students and staff with the school’s LKMPD logo printed on the front. Given the situation in Haiti, getting all 380 back packs all the […]
Newsletter 2022
November 30, 2022
Pam's Art Exhibit for Matènwa!
December 15, 2021
Pam Smith, our dedicated volunteer, long-time friend, and talented mixed media artist has an exhibit on display at Lexington Pierce Gallery through December 31, 2021. All proceeds from the sale […]