ASEC News & Reflections

ASEC is serving 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. We encourage our staff, sisters in the program, and friends of ASEC to contribute their own news and success stories. Below you will find impactful stories and reflections written in their own words.

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After three years (2016-2018) of learning to skills to better serve their communities and congregations, 95 religious women from across Nigeria graduated from the SLDI program with the drive to put their new skills into action.

A day to remember

2 weeks ago: [Nigeria] Ninety-five religious women from congregations across Nigeria graduate from ASEC's Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) program.

a portion of the book cover for Transformative Partnerships: Role of Agencies, Foundations, Institutions in Promoting Strategic Social and Sustainable Change for Women Religious in Africa.

ASEC’s newest book, Transformative Partnerships, launches Feb 2, 2019

3 weeks ago: [Kenya] Transformative Partnerships invites us into an emerging field of research on women religious in the Global South.

Sr. Draru with street boys at Kwetu Home of Peace, a rehab
center in Nairobi, Kenya where ASEC alumnae serve (Oct., 2018).

Time Concels, Reveals: Executive Director reflects on her first year

last month: [Kenya, Tanzania, USA] ASEC Executive Director Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, Ph.D. reflects on her first year in the U.S. and the role of faith, time and collaboration in healing our global community.

46 students graduated from Bigwa Seminary Secondary
School in Tanzania. 29 of those students were able to graduate
because of the ASEC two year Bigwa scholarship (April, 2018).

Scholarship Program, 2018 year in review

2 months ago: [Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia] A year in review of ASEC's Scholarship Program for women religious in Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. Read about the program growth, celebrations and achievements as 2018 comes to an end.

One of the sites for the 2019 Service Learning trip to Ghana is the Padre Pio Rehabilitation Centre for children and adults with diabilities. Photo courtesy of padrepio-rehab.com

Service trip to volunteer in Ghana scheduled for 2019

2 months ago: [Ghana] In May 2019, volunteers from Chestnut Hill College and Marywood University will spend three weeks volunteering in schools and rehabilitation centers in the west African nation of Ghana under the auspices of ASEC.

This year alone, ASEC facilitated a total of 36 SLDI Workshops in ten countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Above are some of our SLDI students from Kenya, Zambia, Malawi and Nigeria.

Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) program, 2018 year in review

2 months ago: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, USA] A year in review of the Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) program. Read about milestones, news and experiences from 2018 as SLDI Phase IV, Year 3 comes to a close.

HESA students graduate from Tangaza College, Kenya (May, 2018).

Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) program, 2018 year in review

2 months ago: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia] A year in review of the Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) program. Read HESA news, graduation announcements, student achievements and program growth as HESA Phase II Year 2 comes to a close.

Students of Usratuna Primary School in Juba, South Sudan are overjoyed to receive new school supplies.

Grant awarded to ASEC to support children in South Sudan

5 months ago: [SouthSudan] Through a grant from the Hilton Foundation, ASEC is providing education and supplies to children in camp sites in South Sudan.

3rd Visiting Scholar arrives at CARA for research fellowship

6 months ago: [Zambia, USA] Sr. Joan Chisala, CSJB of Zambia is the third sister scholar accepted for a six month research fellowship to learn applied research skills in the apostolate at the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), Georgetown University.