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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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

Top left: Sr. Angela Chinaenye Ibe of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; top right: Sr. Kiden Christine Janet, Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary; bottom left: Sr. Grace Akunna John-Emezi of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus; bottom right: Sr. Bi Eveline Ambe, Sisters of St. Ann

How can we measure the impact of education?

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, SouthSudan] We measure the impact of education through qualitative data by interviewing ASEC sisters, both those current students and alumnae. Through learning their stories, we can connect the dots between education and transformation, both within the sisters and their communities.

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.

Sr. Grace spends time promoting breast cancer awareness throughout the community.

Leading Student Peers at CUCG

more than a year ago.: [Ghana] Sr. Grace became the first woman religious elected as Faculty Student President at CUCG in 2021 and since then she has been using her ASEC education to better her congregation.

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.

Sr. Victorine presents her ongoing research to US Staff

Visiting Scholar Researches How Social Media Can Help Congregations in Ghana

more than a year ago.: [Ghana, USA] US Staff hosted ASEC’s 8th Visiting Scholar, Sr. Victorine, on a virtual visit to their Marywood University office.

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. Victorine soon after landing in Washington, D.C., in January 2022.

8th Visiting Scholar Selected for CARA Research Fellowship

more than a year ago.: [Ghana] Sr. Victorine Atsufui Afi Dorkenoo of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC), from Ghana, has been selected as the 8th CARA-ASEC Visiting Scholar.

Through the Research Initiative, ASEC strives to increase the academic literature available on Catholic women religious in Africa and develop sisters as critical investigators.

Catholic Sisters: Critical Investigators and Capable Researchers for Africa

more than a year ago.: [Ghana, Uganda, USA] In 2021, the ASEC Research Initiative saw tremendous growth in the areas of academic publication and research-related webinars. Learn how ASEC is supporting African sisters' in their scholarly research.

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.

HESA best-in-class graduates from Veritas University in Nigeria at the ASEC graduation celebration (2021).

Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) Program, 2021 Year in Review

more than a year ago.: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, USA] A year in review of the Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) program. Read HESA news, graduation announcements, student achievements and program growth.