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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Many Catholic sisters in Africa dedicate their lives to ensuring the safety and protection of vulnerable children.

Meet 3 Sisters Behind Programs & Policies that Protect African Children

Mar 29, 2021: [Ghana, Kenya, Zambia] ASEC alumnae implement programs and policies that protect and promote the welfare of children in Kenya, Ghana and Zambia.

ASEC staff conducted a site visit to Boni Consilii Girls Vocational Secondary school in June, 2018, and were able to meet Sr. Lilian, Sr. Lucia and some of the girls who attend the school.

Hundreds of Girls in Rural Uganda Benefit from Practical, Holistic Education

Mar 15, 2021: [Uganda] Two Catholic nuns have used their education to advance the Boni Consilii school, providing previously unimagined opportunity to young girls in Uganda.

Through ASEC's HESA program, 37 sisters graduated from ASEC partner institution, Veritas University, on January 30, 2021, in Abuja, Nigeria. Five HESA graduates were recognized at the ceremony, receiving awards for “best in class” in their respective academic departments.

Five HESA Sisters in Nigeria Graduate as Head of Department

Mar 8, 2021: [Nigeria] Five HESA sisters receive Head of Department awards at Veritas University graduation ceremony for their outstanding academic performance.

Catholic nuns who have graduated from ASEC's programs have created over 6,400+ jobs in underserved African communities. Here, members of a women's group created by Sr. Stephany learn the skill of soap-making, which will give them the ability to create income for their families.

The Unlikely Women Creating Jobs and Reducing Poverty in Africa

Mar 1, 2021: [Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda] ASEC program participants are applying their education and skills to create and sustain jobs across Africa.

52 weeks a year women religious stand with the poor and immigrants, teach children, fight injustice, heal the sick, share spirituality, empower women, defend the planet, promote peace, create community and offer hope. But for one week each year in March, we shine the spotlight on women religious during Catholic Sisters Week. Above, sisters celebrate the graduation of HESA participants from ASEC partner university, St. Augustine University College (SAUT), in Mwanza, Tanzania.

An ASEC Perspective: The Importance of Catholic Sisters Week

Feb 26, 2021: [USA] ASEC Executive Director reflects on Catholic Sisters Week, ASEC's collaborative partnerships and the importance of celebrating Catholic sisters' tradition of service.

As a trauma survivor herself, Sr. Judith uses her experiences & expertise to help victims and perpetrators of SGBV heal.

Helping Survivors Heal from Trauma in Northern Uganda

Feb 15, 2021: [Uganda] Sr. Judith received a grant to start the Capacitar Trauma Healing project in response to the effects of war crimes & cultural acceptance of sexual & gender-based violence (SGBV) in Northern Uganda.

Sisters Josephine, Gisele and Anne are providing holistic education for students in Kenya.

Holistic Education & Life Skill Development in Kenya

Feb 8, 2021: [Kenya] After three Kenyan sisters received their training and education through ASEC, they needed ensure students' needs were met holistically in order to successfully provide a formal education.

Sustainable Development Goal 5, Target 5.3, aims to eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation by 2030.

4 Women Changing the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Narrative in Africa

Feb 1, 2021: [Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda] 4 Catholic sisters whose service work is helping to prevent and reduce sexual and gender-based violence in Africa.

Sr. Irene holding her Valedictorian award at the CUEA graduation ceremony in November, 2020.

Graduating as 2020 CUEA Valedictorian and Top of Class

Jan 4, 2021: [Kenya] HESA participant Sr. Irene Kwena receives honors as top graduating student and valedictorian of her class at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Kenya.

Sr. Edna serves as a pharmaceutical technician at St. Benedict Ndanda Referral Hospital in the Mtwara region of Tanzania. She and her 8 coworkers dispense medication for the entire hospital, an estimated 90-200 patients per day.

Nun's Ministry Improves Healthcare in Tanzania

Dec 9, 2020: [Tanzania] Sr. Edna earns a degree to serve as a pharmaceutical technician in Tanzania to improve healthcare in the country.

Clockwise, from top left: Alumnae workshop in Kenya (Feb. 2020). Sr. Victoria Ajio, MSBVM, attending a South Sudan SLDI Finance workshop. Sisters in Cameroon receive laptops during an Administration workshop. Tanzanian sisters receive books at a 2020 Administration workshop.

Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) Program, 2020 Year in Review

Dec 9, 2020: [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 2020 as SLDI Phase V begins.

In March 2020, sisters participating in ASEC's Scholarship Program in Tanzania gathered for orientation, thanks to our generous donors who sponsor them.

Scholarship Program 2020: A Monumental Year

Dec 9, 2020: [Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia] A year in review of ASEC's Scholarship Program for women religious in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Ghana and Kenya. Read about the program growth, celebrations and achievements as 2020 comes to an end.