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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Left to right: Scholarship Orientation entertainment in Tanzania, Bigwa Secondary School graduation in Tanzania, first Scholarship graduates in Cameroon.

Scholarship 2024 Year in Review

Nov 25, 2024: [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.

Sr. Jackline Mwikali Mwongela, IBVM, leading the Talitha Kum Youth Ambassadors Training of Trainers Workshop in Dodoma, Tanzania.

Little Girl, I Say to You, Rise Up; Igniting Hope for Human Trafficking Survivors

Nov 25, 2024: [Kenya, Uganda, USA] Sr. Jackline Mwikali Mwongela, an alum of ASEC’s HESA program and Project Manager at Religious Against Human Trafficking (RAHT) in Kenya, has been empowering women and children to rise above human trafficking through prevention, protection, and partnerships, while offering hope to survivors through education and holistic support.

Madilyn Grose with children at Cottolengo Home for Orphaned children in Kenya.

Nothing is Impossible: ASEC Service Learning Reflections from Kenya

Nov 25, 2024: [Kenya, USA] Through ASEC’s Service Learning Trip, Madi's experience in Kenya helped bridge cultural gaps, teaching children about disability awareness while being profoundly impacted by their resilience and kindness.

ASEC staff complete site visit at Mgolole Orphanage in Tanzania, January 2024.

Stand with ASEC & Expand the Reach of Catholic Sisters

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] ASEC celebrates 25 years of empowering Catholic sisters, highlighting their vital role in transforming communities across Africa. Through education and leadership training, ASEC alumnae have become agents of change, planting hope in areas where it is needed most, and fostering a sustainable, brighter future.

ASEC @ 25 Years

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] In this heartfelt poem, Sr. Emmanuelina Musiimenta of Uganda reflects on the transformative journey of African Catholic sisters empowered by ASEC's education programs. She expresses deep gratitude for the guidance and support provided by ASEC, celebrating the growth, leadership, and lasting impact that sisters have had on their communities.

Sr. Archille Tchinwa, a Sister of Saint Ann (SSA), currently serves as a school teacher and vocation animator for her congregation. She is also a pioneer participant in ASEC’s first French speaking SLDI Finance cohort (2022-2024) in Cameroon. This new offering expands the reach of the SLDI program to the nearly 46% of sisters in Cameroon that are French speaking only, a previously underserved population of sisters in need of the vital skills and knowledge provided by SLDI. Although French-speaking by origin, Sr. Archille enthusiastically offered her perspectives on the pilot French SLDI workshop below.

Crossing the Language Divide: SLDI’s Pilot French Cohort in Cameroon

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] Sr. Archille Tchinwa’s participation in ASEC’s SLDI Finance cohort has transformed her work as a school teacher and vocation animator in Cameroon. Armed with new skills in technology, time management, and social entrepreneurship, Sr. Archille is empowering her community, congregation, and students by applying her knowledge to enhance education and advocate for displaced girls.

Sr. Vera Bi Kiekiseeh Otia, an alum of SLDI and HESA, leads St. Pius X Comprehensive and Technical College (SPICOTEC) in Bota-Limbe, Cameroon, empowers 250 students annually with the skills to become self-employed and create opportunities in their community.

ASEC Alumnae Making Positive Change

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] ASEC’s annual Alumnae Workshops offer professional development and networking for graduates of the SLDI and HESA programs. These workshops help alumnae like Sr. Vera, Sr. Gertrude, and Sr. Catherine make impactful contributions to their communities, whether in education, healthcare, or vocational training, fostering growth and empowerment across Africa.

Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) 2024 Year in Review

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] The Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) program provides Catholic sisters with access to higher education, enabling them to lead transformative ministries across Africa. With over 2,196 sisters enrolled in programs since 2012, HESA empowers women religious to take on leadership roles in education, healthcare, and community development.

SLDI field trip participants in Tanzania

Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) 2024 Year in Review

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] The Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) has empowered over 4,400 African sisters since 2007, enhancing their leadership skills in administration, finance, and technology, and fostering social entrepreneurship, with graduates making significant impacts in their communities.

SLDI alum, Sr. Monica Kawira Mutegi, SCC, serves as Headmistress at the Holy Cross Nursery and Primary School in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Creating Impact: ASEC Alumnae Impact on Beneficiaries

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] ASEC’s Catholic Sisters Beneficiary Survey reveals the profound impact ASEC alumnae have on their communities, with 97% of beneficiaries reporting an improved quality of life, showcasing the transformative power of educated women religious in Africa.

Building Bridges Through Technological Innovation and Research

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] ASEC’s innovative database, developed with the help of WorX Solutions Management, tracks the impact of its programs and fosters research on Catholic sisters in Africa, improving data integrity, program quality, and partnership opportunities across the continent.

Sr. Esther Wairimu Mwangi, LSOSF, HESA alum, serves at St. Francis Hospital in Kenya.

The Contagion of Selfless Leadership

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] ASEC’s 25th anniversary celebrates the transformative leadership of African women religious, like Sr. Esther Wairimu Mwangi, whose education empowers them to lead impactful healthcare, education, and social services, sparking hope and change across sub-Saharan Africa.

Celebrating 25 Years of Hope: ASEC's Silver Jubilee Milestone

Nov 25, 2024: [USA] The African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2024, honoring its Founding Mothers and their enduring vision to empower Catholic sisters in Africa, impacting over 10,500 women religious and millions of lives across the continent.

Sr. Grace Akunna John-Emezi, HHCJ, smiles alongside students as she spreads awareness about early breast cancer detection.

Breast Cancer Awareness: Empowering Change Through Sr. Grace’s Mission

Oct 31, 2024: [Nigeria] Sr. Grace Akunna John-Emezi, HHCJ is transforming health awareness in African communities through her dedicated advocacy for breast cancer education.

ASEC Board Chair Sister Barbara Spears, SNJM and Sister Nancy Kamau, LSOSF stand outside the entrance to the Apostolic Nunciature, awaiting guests’ arrival to ASEC’s 25 Jubilee Dinner in Washington D.C.

ASEC Celebrates 25 Years of Transformative Impact: Jubilee Dinner Marks a Milestone for Education and Empowerment in Africa

Oct 16, 2024: [USA] On October 3, 2024, the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) hosted its 25th Jubilee Dinner in Washington, D.C., celebrating its legacy of empowering Catholic sisters through education to address local and global challenges, allowing them to become leaders across Africa.

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