2026 ASEC Alumnae Leaders & Staff Workshop

Leadership development is essential in creating strong communities, effective institutions, and lasting social change. The African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) continues to play a transformative role in empowering Catholic sisters across Africa through educational and leadership development programs.  One of the most impactful initiatives offered by ASEC is its annual leadership workshop designed to strengthen the leadership capacity of ASEC staff as they serve in diverse roles within their communities.

ASEC, hosted a 6-day Alumni Leaders workshop focused on storytelling tools and techniques that illuminate the impact of ASEC-supported Catholic sisters. The workshop brought together ASEC staff from the United States and Africa, along with selected alumni from each participating African country, in a collaborative learning environment designed to strengthen leadership, communication, and advocacy skills.  

 The rainy season provided a lush green backdrop for ASEC participants arriving in Lusaka, Zambia.  Alumni representatives and staff traveled from 11 countries across Africa and the United States to take part in the workshop. The gathering created an opportunity for alumni leaders and staff to exchange ideas, strengthen networks, and deepen their understanding of how storytelling can inspire change and amplify impact 

The workshop aimed to inspire compelling storytelling that highlights the meaningful change ASEC alumni are making in their communities and often brings attention to unseen heroes whose work continues to transform lives. The program officially began with participants’ check-in and informal office hours, giving participants time to connect with ASEC’s Executive Director Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, and staff from Programs, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Mission Advancement. The opening day concluded with an opening Mass celebrated by Bishop George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu at the Little Servants of Mary Immaculate Chapel (LSMI), Kasisi. A youth choir/band of students performed during the Mass.

Over the following days, sisters and staff participated in sessions focused on telling compelling stories through writing, interviewing, photography, and video recording. Facilitators emphasized the importance of storytelling as a powerful leadership and advocacy tool that can preserve experiences, inspire action, and demonstrate the far-reaching impact of education and service. Participants were encouraged to use authentic stories to amplify voices, strengthen partnerships, and promote awareness of the critical work being carried out by Catholic sisters throughout Africa. As part of the workshop, ASEC Africa staff received Samsung smartphones to support their storytelling efforts and make it easier to capture photos and videos upon returning to their ministries and communities. The devices will help staff document program impact and share stories more effectively across ASEC platforms. 

Led by ASEC leadership, staff, and invited experts, the workshop combined practical training with reflection and peer-to-peer learning. All attendees engaged in a collaborative art project and team-building activities, reinforcing the goal of storytelling that documents the impact and strengthens the mission across countries. 

Throughout the sessions, facilitators demonstrated how storytelling techniques directly benefit ASEC’s mission and outreach efforts. Content collected by ASEC staff, beneficiaries, and alumni plays a vital role in communicating the organization’s impact. These stories and media resources are used across social media platforms, newsletters, the ASEC website, and fundraising initiatives that support ongoing educational and leadership programs throughout Africa. 

During the workshop the ASEC’s Annual News Award winners were presented for the categories of Rays of Hope Award, Best Impact Photo, Best Video, and Best Story with Photos. The winners celebrated with songs and dances from their countries. 

For the first time, the creation and appointment of leadership to the ASEC Alumnae Association took place. The association’s inaugural Continental Leadership with a President, Sr. Ann Kamene Musyoka, ASN of Kenya, Vice President, Sr. Rether Mwila Ngoma, FMSA of Zambia, and Treasurer Sr. Stella Nkechi Anyanum, SSND of Nigeria. Three regional leadership groups were created: South Central Regional Leadership, East Regional Leadership, and West Leadership. In the South Central Regional Leadership, Sr. Arether Mwila Ngoma, FMSA of Zambia, Sr. Marie-Clare Florence Kapachika, CS of Malawi, and Sr. Lucia Puselesto Mothe, HFM of Lesotho, were elected.  For the East Regional Leadership, Sr. Ann Kamene Musyoka, ASN of Kenya, Sr. Christine Janet Kiden, MSBVM of South Sudan, and Sr. Celine Zabulon Mayala, RA of Tanzania were elected. In the West Regional Leadership, Sr. Stella Nkechi Anyanwu, SSND of Nigeria, Sr. Vera Ndifoin Nayah, SST of Cameroon, and Sr. Joyce Baabereyir, HHCJ of Ghana were elected.

On the fifth day ASEC staff traveled on a field trip to the Bauleni Special Needs Project, where tours of the facility were led by SLDi alum Sr. Lucky Nambeye, SSHJM, who is a Program Coordinator of the Community Rehabilitation Centre. The Bauleni Special Needs Project focuses on inclusive education for children with disabilities.  Alumni interacted with teachers who care for blind and deaf children. The tour brought ASEC staff to the sewing shop where bags, table settings, hats, scarves are created as a fundraiser for the Bulini Special needs project.

The workshop concluded with a closing Mass and ceremony, marking a shared commitment to carry the storytelling skills and experience back to communities and ministries throughout Africa. The lessons of the workshop will help share the inspiring work of ASEC supported Catholic sisters around the world. 

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