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

Reducing Maternal Mortality in Malawi

2 months ago: [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

2 months ago: [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.

Participants from Zimbabwe, ASEC’s U.S. staff, and ASEC Board members join in a virtual meeting for the historic signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ASEC and the Conference of Major Religious Superiors Zimbabwe (CMRS-ZW).

African Sisters Education Collaborative Expands Reach to Zimbabwe

10 months ago: [Zimbabwe, USA] The African Sisters Education Collaborative has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Conference of Major Religious Superiors Zimbabwe, marking the 11th country in ASEC’s mission to empower Catholic sisters across Africa.

Sr. Mavis Ackaah Mensah, SIJ works on accounting projects in her healthcare ministry.

Accounting for Quality Healthcare in Ghana

more than a year ago.: [Ghana] Sr. Mavis Ackaah Mensah, SIJ leverages her knowledge gained from the SLDI program and accounting skills to enhance healthcare quality and financial stability.

Sr. Given Chibesakunda, CSJB, Scholarship recipient in Zambia holds newborn twins.

Scholarship 2023 Year in Review

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania] Since 2012, ASEC’s Scholarship Program has enabled over 790 sisters in seven African countries to pursue secondary and higher education, empowering them to serve their communities more effectively.

2023 Service Learning participants at service sites in Ghana.

A Return to Africa

more than a year ago.: [Ghana] The ASEC Service Learning Program resumed in 2023, with students from Chestnut Hill College and Marywood University traveling to Ghana for three weeks, where they engaged in volunteer work, cultural immersion, and academic study.

Affirming Dignity to the Dying in Zambia

more than a year ago.: [Zambia] Palliative care is largely recognized as essential to improving the quality of life of those with serious and often terminal illness, even if they may not be able to treat the root cause of their ailment.

Dr. Rosemary Shaver, ASEC Senior Program Manager, successfully defended her dissertation on September 23, 2022.

Senior Program Manager is awarded Ed.D., doctoral award

more than a year ago.: [USA] HESA and Scholarship Senior Program Manager Rosemary Shaver, Ed.D. received her Doctorate in Education from Wilkes University after successful defense of her research on the perceived impact of service learning programs on higher education learners. Through her research she was able to find that it is a transformative experience that promotes self-examination, dialogue, and skill development among participants.

Students follow instruction during a 2018 visit to Infant Jesus Prep in Ghana.

It Takes a Village: Caring for the Kids

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda] Taking care of kids takes a village - something ASEC Sisters understand well. It is not just tucking them in at night and making sure they are accounted for during the day, it is also making sure their future is taken care of as well.

ASEC Staff from Africa and the United States joined for staff training from March 1-4, 2022

Staff Training Focuses on Social Entrepreneurship

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, USA] “The work you do on a daily basis is strengthening the capacity of the sisters you serve.” - Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, Ph.D.

Sr. Janet Kiden is the first sister to obtain a Ph.D. through ASEC’s Scholarship Program.

Educating the Educated: First ASEC Sister to Obtain Ph.D. Improves Schools in South Sudan

more than a year ago.: [SouthSudan] We know that education has the power to transform and change lives, but we seldom consider those who use research and study to improve education. This incredibly unique role is valuable to the spreading of knowledge and skills throughout Africa.

Sr. M. Tryphina Burchard, STH, ASEC Country Director (center), with two ASEC scholarship recipients during the 2021 Scholarship program orientation workshop in Tanzania.

Scholarship Program 2021: Bridging the Gap to Higher Education for Sisters in Africa

more than a year ago.: [Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia] A year in review of ASEC's Scholarship Program for women religious in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya and Lesotho. Read about the program growth, celebrations and achievements as 2021 comes to an end.

In June, 2018, ASEC staff also toured the Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) farm where the sisters grow food and keep animals, like these pigs. An SLDI alumna, Sr. Mary Lilian Baitwakakye, was able to secure funding to begin a dairy farm, which supports both the congregation and the Boni Consilii Girls Vocational Secondary school.

Investing in Africa’s Small Farms Yields Big Outcomes

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia] Catholic sisters in Africa are using crop and animal farming to sustainably support their local communities.

Sisters are using computer and technology skills learned in ASEC's programs to streamline and enhance their service work to the poor and vulnerable across Africa. Pictured are sisters from ASEC's Higher Education from Sisters in Africa (HESA) program in Tanzania, receiving personal laptops to assist them in their studies (2020).

Tech-Savvy Sisters: Catholic Nuns Share How Technology Transforms Their Apostolates

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia] How Catholic nuns translate computer and tech skills into enhanced social services for Africa’s poor and vulnerable.

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