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. Caroline Nanyi Acha, SST, ASLA recipient in Cameroon.

Investing in ASEC Alumnae Projects Through ASLA

Mar 25, 2024: [Cameroon, Lesotho, Uganda] African Sisters: Leaders In Action (ASLA) investment in alumnae projects has allowed ASEC Alumnae Sr. Caroline Nanyi Acha, SST, Sr. Sophia Agnes Asiimwe, MSMMC, and Sr. Mathabo Jacintha Sefali, SCIM to make an impact in their communities.

HESA students top: Sr. Maureen Chepkemoi, SMI
Bottom left to right: Sr. Catherine Etyang, SMK and Sr. Irene Wawira Njeru, FMA, serving in Kenyan ministries.

Higher Education for Sisters in Africa 2023 Year in Review

Jan 1, 2024: [Ghana, Kenya, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, USA] The Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) program empowers Catholic sisters in Africa by providing access to post-secondary education, resulting in over 1,144 graduates across 24 partner institutions in 10 African countries and the U.S.

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

Jan 1, 2024: [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

Mar 9, 2023: [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

Sr. Lucy presented the progress of her current research to ASEC staff during a recent visit.

Visiting Scholar visits ASEC Headquarters, Presents Progress on Catholic Research

Nov 16, 2022: [Uganda, USA] Sr. Lucy's research may be able to help congregations in Uganda better prepare women religious for the work of their ministries.

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

Using Technology to Strengthen Ministries

Sep 8, 2022: [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 are pictured walking during a HESA Reflective Learning workshop in Uganda, 2022.

Coming and Going: Trusting God’s Path for Sisters

Aug 2, 2022: [Uganda] Working in a collaborative network of sisters from various congregations, countries and continents demonstrates the value of each individual's footprint on the organization.

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

It Takes a Village: Caring for the Kids

Jul 5, 2022: [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.

Sr. Lucy safely arrived at Dulles airport to begin her research fellowship on June 6, 2022.

After Two-Year Delay, ASEC and CARA Welcome 7th Visiting Scholar

Jun 8, 2022: [Uganda] ASEC and the CARA Research Fellowship are excited to welcome Sr. Akello Lucy Dora, LSMIG, Ph.D, as the next visiting scholar.

Photo by Emmanuel Ikwuegbu, Unsplash.com

A Few of the Many Times ASEC Sisters Fought for Education in Africa

Apr 25, 2022: [SouthSudan, Uganda] Everyday ASEC Sisters are fighting hard for education in Africa through their congregations and mission work.

COVID-19 Case Study Published in Review of Religious Research

Apr 22, 2022: [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.

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

Staff Training Focuses on Social Entrepreneurship

Mar 17, 2022: [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.

Photos from Mama Kevina Hope Center for Children with Disabilities in Tanzania, provided by Sr. Swai (pictured left).

8 Ways ASEC Sisters Are Fighting For Social Justice in Africa

Feb 1, 2022: [Cameroon, Kenya, SouthSudan, Uganda, Zambia] Each ASEC Sister brings a unique purpose to their communities as a result of their education and leadership training, empowering them to fight for social justice as exemplified in these eight projects.