The African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) is delighted to announce that Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, Ph.D., our esteemed Executive Director, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Notre Dame Award for Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Education. This prestigious award, established in 2003 by the University of Notre Dame, recognizes individuals who have dedicated their lives to sustaining and strengthening Catholic education.
Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, Ph.D., a member of the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu, brings an inspiring story of resilience, faith, and commitment to her work. Born in Uganda during a turbulent period of political unrest, she faced significant challenges, including being displaced to the Congo as a child. Undeterred, she answered her calling, joining the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu in 1989.
In 2017, the same year she earned her doctorate from Radboud University in the Netherlands, Sr. Draru assumed leadership of ASEC as Executive Director, where she continues to make an extraordinary impact on Catholic education in Africa.
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Under Sr. Draru’s leadership, ASEC has grown to serve over 10,000 women religious in sub-Saharan Africa. Through programs like Higher Education for Women Religious (HESA), Service Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI), and Sercive Learning, ASEC equips Catholic sisters with the resources they need to become catalysts for change in their communities. Under Sr. Draru’s guidance, ASEC addresses challenges in Africa, both locally and globally, ensuring sisters are empowered to lead and serve effectively.
On behalf of the ASEC community, we celebrate Sr. Draru’s achievement and thank her for her remarkable contributions to Catholic education in Africa. Her work embodies the spirit of collaboration and service that defines ASEC, and we are proud to see her recognized for her outstanding leadership. Congratulations, Sr. Draru!
Empower Sisters, Transform Lives
Sr. Draru’s journey from displacement in Uganda to leading ASEC as its Executive Director is a testament to faith, resilience, and the transformative power of education. With your support, ASEC can continue empowering women religious who overcome adversity to lead with courage and bring meaningful change to their communities.
Your contribution provides access to education, resources, and training that enable Catholic sisters to uplift vulnerable communities across Africa. Be a part of this life-changing mission today!
This article is addressing the following UN Sustainable Development Goal(s):
