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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Clockwise from the top left: Sr. Innocentia Ndikum, SOM, at poultry raising project in Cameroon, Sr. Immaculator Rugumila, FDCC, with scout children at Canossa Primary School in Tanzania, Sr. Harriet Baker, IHMR, cares for patient in Uganda.

ASEC's Path to Sustainability

Jan 1, 2024: [USA] ASEC empowers Catholic sisters in Africa to transform marginalized communities through education and leadership, with its Path to Sustainability Initiative securing future support via a matching challenge grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

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

Jan 1, 2024: [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

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.

CARA-ASEC Visiting Scholar from India tours a tulip field during her stay at ASEC Headquarters in Scranton, PA, USA.

Research for a Brighter Future

Jan 1, 2024: [USA] ASEC’s commitment to research has been the cornerstone of its success, driving program development and shaping the future of education for Catholic sisters in Africa, while its Research Initiative continues to expand knowledge, empower sisters as researchers, and build a central repository of valuable data.

In 2004, ASEC hosted a conference at Marywood University for African sisters in leadership positions to enhance their understanding of technology and to mutually explore avenues for access to education in their countries.

How Far We Have Come!

Jan 1, 2024: [USA] From a bold seed planted 25 years ago, ASEC's mission to educate Catholic sisters in Africa has blossomed into a powerful force for change, transforming communities across the continent.

Collaboration: Where visionary partnerships turn dreams into reality, creating lasting impact across Africa and beyond.

The Path to Prophetic Collaboration

Jan 1, 2024: [USA] ASEC celebrates 25 years of impactful collaboration, driven by the vision and courage of its Founding Mothers, whose pioneering spirit and dedication have transformed lives across Africa and the globe, with every donation this year matched 1.5 times by the Hilton Foundation to continue this legacy of hope and service.

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

Oct 10, 2023: [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

Jun 16, 2023: [Kenya] The 2023 HESA Partners Conference took place in Nairobi, Kenya from June 13-17th.

Sr. Mini visiting ASEC's Headquarters in Scranton, PA from May 8-11, 2023. She is the first CARA-ASEC Visiting Scholar to be selected from India and the 9th scholar to enter the fellowship. While touring Scranton during her visit with ASEC, staff took Sr. Mini to the tulip fields at Brown Hill Farms in Tunkhannock, PA.

9th Visiting Scholar Selected for CARA Research Fellowship

Jun 6, 2023: [USA] Sr. Mini Joseph, JMJ, India, is the 9th scholar selected for six month research fellowship with The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) Georgetown University.

Affirming Dignity to the Dying in Zambia

Apr 3, 2023: [Zambia] Palliative care is largely recognized as essential to improving the quality of life of those with serious and often terminal illness, even if they may not be able to treat the root cause of their ailment.

ASEC to host inaugural fundraiser: "A Night of Storytelling"

Mar 24, 2023: [USA] African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) is hosting the inaugural fundraising event, A Night of Storytelling, on Wednesday, April 26th, 2023, in Marywood University’s Fireplace Lounge in Nazareth Hall from 6:30-8 pm.

ASEC sisters give a reading of the Holy Bible at an SLDI graduation held in Uganda in October of 2018.

In Her Words: Lenten Reflection

Mar 24, 2023: [none] We are almost halfway through Lent. We have gone through the first three weeks and are almost through the fourth week. This is a good time to pause and check in on how we are progressing with our Lenten resolutions.

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

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?

Mar 2, 2023: [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.

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