In Bangula, Malawi, a woman makes her way to St. Kalemba Community Hospital. She is in labor with her fourth child, and although giving birth never exactly feels routine for a mother, she is confident in the care she will receive at this particular hospital. In fact, despite being told that pregnancies with any complications should be transferred to the larger, more specialized, district hospital run by the government, many locals in the area opt to deliver at St. Kalemba for the high quality care provided by the Sisters of Our Lady of Amersfoort (SOL), the congregation of Catholic sisters who run the health institution. This woman will encounter complications with her delivery but thankfully, she is in the expert care of Sr. Maureen J. Chalamanda, SOL, a three-time graduate of ASEC’s programs.
Utilizing the knowledge and skills she gained from ASEC’s Programs, Sr. Maureen is able to quickly evaluate the woman on arrival. Sr. Maureen discovers that the woman has cord presentation, a rare, potentially fatal complication that often requires an emergency cesarean section (C-section). However, this procedure is conducted in an operating theater, a facility not currently available at St. Kalemba. The woman’s labor is progressing quickly and there is no time to call for a transfer by ambulance. Sr. Maureen springs into action, immediately calling for assistance and implementing necessary interventions to ensure a safe delivery. Five minutes later, Sr. Maureen reports, “I was able to help this woman to deliver a healthy baby without any complications, and the baby was able to cry...she was okay, so I was very happy.”
Without Sr. Maureen’s knowledge and quick thinking, the outcome for this mother and child could have been catastrophic. It is for this reason that Sr. Maureen is a vital asset for vulnerable individuals in her community.
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Sr. Maureen evaluating a patient.
Sr. Maureen is a unique ASEC alum, in that she is 1 of 11 sisters that have completed 3 ASEC programs including—SLDI (Administration Track, graduating in 2015), the Scholarship Program (Secondary/Form Level, graduating in 2018), and HESA (Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery, graduating 2024). This is representative of the educational context of Malawi, where admission to universities is entirely dependent upon secondary school national examination results. When Sr. Maureen entered religious life, she did not possess the scores necessary for higher education. With the strong support of ASEC Malawi Staff and the Scholarship Program, she was able to retake secondary school and achieve the scores necessary for entry to her Bachelor's Degree. Now, Sr. Maureen is a shining example of the impact ASEC programs have, not only on the sisters who participate in the programs, but in the lives of those they serve as well.
Sr. Maureen says, “ASEC programs have significantly enhanced my ability to serve in healthcare by equipping me with essential skills in patient care, medical administration, leadership, and ethical decision making. The training has helped me improve service delivery, promote compassionate care, and advocate for better health conditions, especially in underserved communities.”
Sr. Maureen’s ministry is also having a positive impact on global sustainable development. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1, under Good Health and Well-Being, is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. MMR is the ratio of women who die from pregnancy-related issues while pregnant. It is currently estimated that 381 deaths occur per 100,000 live births in Malawi. Limited access to healthcare due to distance, a shortage of skilled medical staff, and poor-quality care, among other issues, negatively impact Malawi’s MMR. Working to alleviate this considerably high MMR, Sr. Maureen applies her acquired skills and expertise to evaluate and care for expecting mothers. With Sr. Maureen's help, the hospital can administer quality treatment to approximately 42,000 individuals annually.
Another significant accomplishment of Sr. Maureen was her assistance in the establishment of a rural community health outreach program in Malawi. The program, developed in partnership with the Association of Women Religious in Malawi (AWRIM) and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, aims to improve maternal and child health services for those without access to healthcare. The outreach program serves people from 22 different villages through in-person visits 3 times per week. This initiative has enabled underserved populations to reap necessary knowledge, medical screenings, and treatments from healthcare professionals they otherwise may not receive due to location or lack of awareness.
ASEC Board of Directors member and Sr. Maureen’s former SLDI facilitator in 2015, Bríghid Blake, said of Sr. Maureen’s progress and impact, “I followed her progress for several years and was aware of her ability, her confidence that she could succeed if given the opportunity, and her determination to do it despite the obstacles.”
Sr. Maureen's continuous work to improve the lives of those in need makes her a crucial agent of change in her community. Through quality healthcare, education, and advocating for better health policies, she contributes to the future of a healthier and more informed society.
