About
The Meaning of Awenyo
The name Awenyo comes from the Akan languages of West Africa — a region from which many of the people of Curaçao are descended. It signifies unity, togetherness, and the weaving of lives and destinies into a shared future. It is a word that speaks of connection — between individuals, communities, generations — and of the strength that arises when people move forward with a common purpose.
Embedded in the name is also a sense of hope: the belief that through education, mutual support, and a shared commitment to growth, we can collectively rise to the challenges of our time. The name Awenyo reminds us that the future we long for is not built by a few, but by many — each bringing their unique insight, effort, and will.
Who We Are
The Awenyo Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Willemstad, Curaçao, working to support individuals and communities through education and capacity-building. Our focus is on helping people develop the knowledge, skills, and qualities needed to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society.
We believe that every person carries within them the potential to create positive change — and that education, when guided by values and connected to a broader vision of service, can help unlock that potential. Our work brings people together in shared efforts to learn, grow, and build a future rooted in dignity, unity, and purpose.
Our Vision
At Awenyo, we envision education as more than a system — it is a vital force that shapes how we live, how we relate to one another, and how we build the world around us. We believe that true and lasting development cannot be imposed from outside, but must emerge from within — when individuals and communities gain the capacity to chart their own path, cultivate their talents, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of society.
Our approach centers on the belief that meaningful transformation must happen on multiple levels: within the individual, among communities, and across institutions and structures. We see each child as a sacred trust of the whole, and each educator and youth as a potential leader in the movement toward a more compassionate and cohesive society.
How We Work
The work of Awenyo is organized around three core areas that are deeply interconnected:
Transformative Teacher Training, which supports educators in rethinking their role — not just as transmitters of information, but as guides and facilitators who nurture capacity, critical thinking, and moral reasoning in the classroom.
Youth Empowerment, which prepares young people to see themselves as agents of change — capable of engaging in acts of service, assuming responsibility for their communities, and leading with integrity and purpose.
Curriculum Development, which aims to reshape what and how we teach by integrating character formation, ethical awareness, and practical capabilities into the heart of educational content.
Across all of these, our approach is one of accompaniment. We walk alongside communities, listening deeply, learning together, and building the tools needed for self-directed growth and shared transformation.