Friends of Matènwa (Haïti)
Friends of Matènwa is a U.S. non-profit, established in 2010 to support the work of Matènwa Community Learning Centre (MCLC). Friends of Matènwa has successfully sustained MCLC's core operations while advancing broader educational, social, and economic opportunities in Haiti.
Established in 1996, MCLC is a pioneering model of democratic, community-based development that aims to expand access to high-quality, inclusive education throughout Haiti. MCLC demonstrates how transformative learning and development can thrive in rural environments when guided by respect for human dignity and locally conceived solutions.
In 2025-2026, the Eurofins Foundation is supporting Community Terracing: Mitigating Climate Change and Increasing Food Security. This initiative addresses the urgent challenges of soil erosion, climate vulnerability, and food insecurity on the island of Lagonave, Haiti. By introducing terracing – a proven, low-cost farming technique – the project aims to restore degraded hillsides, conserve water, and create sustainable agricultural spaces for families and schools.
The project was launched in response to escalating environmental degradation and widespread hunger in Haiti, where deforestation and climate change have left rural communities highly vulnerable. On Lagonave, most arable land lies on steep slopes, making farming difficult and unsustainable. Heavy rains wash away topsoil, reducing fertility and deepening cycles of poverty and malnutrition. Terracing transforms these slopes into step-like plots that retain soil and water, enabling families to grow diverse, nutrient-rich crops. This approach not only improves food security but also strengthens climate resilience and revives indigenous land-use practices.
The project will construct at least 180 terraces across 30 sites, train local farmers and schools in sustainable agriculture, and increase access to fresh, locally grown food for over 4,000 people. The Eurofins Foundation will support essential tools for terrace construction, as well as project supervision by local technicians and managers. These resources will ensure high-quality implementation and create a replicable model for community-led environmental restoration and food security.
This project contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
