ASEC News & Reflections

ASEC is serving Catholic Sisters in 10 sub-Saharan African countries, providing access to educational opportunities. There is much to celebrate regarding the work of ASEC and the impact of Sisters who are benefiting from our programs.

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Sr. Stivelia Emily Macloud, SBVM in the Tiyende Limodzi Project gardens.

Empowering Communities to Move Out of Dependency in Malawi

2 weeks ago: [Malawi] In Malawi, Sr. Stivelia Macloud, SBVM, used the knowledge she gained through ASEC’s Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) to launch an agricultural project that empowers vulnerable community members to break the cycle of poverty through farming.

Sr. Maureen J. Chalamanda, SOL, providing treatment in her rural outreach program.

Reducing Maternal Mortality in Malawi

last month: [Malawi] When a mother in Malawi faced a life-threatening childbirth complication, Sr. Maureen Chalamanda, SOL—a three-time ASEC alumna—used her education to save both mother and baby, proving how vital trained sisters are to community healthcare.

Sr. Agnes Mmanga, SOL, at Stella Maris Girls Secondary School.

Bridging the Gap to Higher Education in Malawi

last month: [Malawi] In Malawi, Sr. Agnes Mmanga, SOL—a three-time ASEC alumna—used her second chance at education to become a special needs teacher, now helping girls overcome the same academic barriers she once faced.

Left to right: Scholarship Orientation entertainment in Tanzania, Bigwa Secondary School graduation in Tanzania, first Scholarship graduates in Cameroon.

Scholarship 2024 Year in Review

7 months ago: [Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe] The ASEC Scholarship Program empowers Catholic Sisters across nine countries with access to education, enabling them to better serve their congregations and communities, with over 890 scholarships awarded since 2012.

HESA students pose for a photograph together.

Excellent Education: Celebrating HESA Graduation Ceremonies in 2023

more than a year ago.: [Malawi, Tanzania] The Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) program has helped education for women religious in Africa make strides, despite education for women in Africa facing significant barriers. In 2023, over 200 sisters graduated from HESA programs, overcoming challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and contributing to their communities’ development and gender equality.

Sr. Teresa Mulenga, TS, ASEC Programs Coordinator - Malawi

Sr. Teresa Mulenga, TS: Exemplifying the purpose of Women's History Month

more than a year ago.: [Malawi] In reflection of Women’s History Month, ASEC wishes to shine the spotlight on Sr. Teresa Mulenga, TS, who has been nominated for the 2024 Africa Day campaign, in honor of her work in improving the lives of African women.

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed annually on January 11. #HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay

Human Trafficking Trends in Sub-Saharan Africa (Infographic)

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Malawi] Human trafficking and modern slavery trends and statistics in sub-Saharan Africa.

SLDI participants Top left: Sr. Teresa Mulenga, TS, with water project participants in Malawi
Top right: Basic Technology Workshop participants in Uganda
Bottom: Sr. Nancy Njari, RA, with students in Kenya

Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) 2023 Year in Review

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, USA] The Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) empowers Catholic sisters in 10 African countries by enhancing their leadership, technology, and financial skills, resulting in significant community impact.

ASEC sister Sr. Honorine with pupils during cooking practicals in Cameroon

Going where the need is greatest, exemplifying hard work, and solving social issues: 5 things we can learn from ASEC sisters

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia] “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” - John 1:5

Sisters Odette and Cecilia exploring the technology of the phone at an SLDI workshop in Cameroon, 2019.

Using Technology to Strengthen Ministries

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia] Last spring, the New York Times published an article about how women religious are sharing their experiences through social media platforms, like TikTok. In this article we reflect on the recent trends and explain how our sisters are learning to utilize technology.

ASEC Sisters tour an organic farm in Uganda

Protecting the Planet: How ASEC Sisters have honored Mother Earth

more than a year ago.: [Kenya, Malawi, SouthSudan] “In 2010-2019 average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their highest levels in human history, but the rate of growth has slowed.” - IPCC Report on climate change.

COVID-19 Case Study Published in Review of Religious Research

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, USA] At ASEC we understood clearly that the pandemic would mean some serious changes for us and our goals. We also understood that COVID-19 may make our pending goals to transform education in Africa even that much more needed. As a research organization, we did what we do – research.