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. Vera Bi Kiekiseeh Otia, HHCJ engages with students in a classroom

Technical & Vocational Training in Cameroon

2 months ago: [Cameroon] Sr. Vera Bi Kiekiseeh Otia, HHCJ, principal of SPICOTEC in Cameroon, leverages her ASEC education to expand access to technical and vocational training, empowering youth to become entrepreneurs and job creators.

HESA students pose for a photograph together.

Excellent Education: Celebrating HESA Graduation Ceremonies in 2023

4 months 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. Magreth Laurenti Amani, FSSB completing medical work.

Serving Across Contexts - Tanzania to the United States

4 months ago: [Tanzania] At the St. Joseph’s Center, Sr. Magreth currently serves as a Direct Support Professional, assisting in caring for adults and children with disabilities. She continues to utilize the knowledge and skills she gained from the ASEC Scholarship program and HESA on a daily basis. She feels grateful for the opportunity to serve across the globe and remains connected to the ASEC alumnae network, attending virtual ASEC Alumnae Workshops annually despite her placement in the United States.

ASEC nurtures multi-layered partnerships that further its mission in accordance with the gospel call to unity and solidarity. Recognizing the shared goal of furthering educational opportunities for women religious in Africa, ASEC works together with partners in the spirit of global sisterhood to support the personal and spiritual growth of sisters in Africa.

Partnerships Rooted in Collaboration

9 months ago: [Kenya, USA] Collaboration is central to ASEC's mission, exemplified by partnerships with educational institutions and national conferences of religious across ten African countries, all aimed at empowering Catholic sisters through education, as highlighted in the 2023 HESA Partners Conference.

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

9 months ago: [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.

Sr. Josephine Kwenga wins People's Choice Award for Project on Sustainable Human Development

Sr. Josephine Kwenga wins People's Choice Award for Project on Sustainable Human Development

more than a year ago.: [Kenya] On September 27, 2023 ASEC participant Sr. Josephine Muthoni Kwenga, SJT won a People's Choice Award for her Sustainable Agriculture Project in Kenya.

HESA Partners Conference takes place in Nairobi

HESA Partners Conference takes place in Nairobi

more than a year ago.: [Kenya] The 2023 HESA Partners Conference took place in Nairobi, Kenya from June 13-17th.

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.

Members from ASEC US headquarters and faculty from DMI-St. Eugene meet via Zoom to sign partnership agreement.

ASEC signs new partnership with DMI-St. Eugene in Zambia

more than a year ago.: [Zambia, USA] DMI-St. Eugene University in Zambia is the first partner university in Africa to have been founded by religious women.

ASEC alumnae learn to make liquid soap at a workshop in Tanzania in January of 2023.

Sisters gather for alumnae workshop, use agriculture to feed communities in Tanzania

more than a year ago.: [Tanzania] Women religious go where the need is greatest and do everything they can to fulfill it, including increasing the availability of opportunities for agricultural growth in Tanzania.

ASEC Sisters teach children how to dance at St. Peter Clavery School in Mikumi, Tanzania

Dance in African Christianity and Culture as Explained by an ASEC Sister

more than a year ago.: [Kenya, Zambia, USA] After being with ASEC for a year, I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much about Catholic sisters, African culture, and some of the unique and beautiful traditions of Catholicism in Africa. One thing that I’ve noticed is the power of incorporating dance into graduations, mass and religious celebrations in Africa. I wanted to know more.

Headmistress Sr. Maria N. Isaya with other staff at Mother Kevin 
Secondary School in Tanzania

In Her Words: Proud to be a Fruit of Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA)

more than a year ago.: [Kenya] Sr. Maria N. Isaya, a religious woman of the Institute of the Little Sisters of St. Francis in Tanzania, started her journey with ASEC in 2016 through the Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA). Since then she has brought transformation to her community by using her skills to provide education to those in poverty, improving their overall quality of life.

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.

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.

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.

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