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.
ASEC has made great progress in moving beyond evaluating impact of our programs on individual alumnae, to assessing the broader effects at the beneficiary and community levels. From August 2023 to March 2024, ASEC piloted a Catholic Sisters Beneficiary Survey, which received a total of 734 responses. Results of this survey provide evidence supporting the positive impact alumnae of the SLDI and HESA programs are having on the people they serve.
Who are ASEC Catholic Sister Beneficiaries?
ASEC considers Catholic sister beneficiaries anyone who has directly come into contact with and benefitted from the ministry/services of an ASEC program graduate, including sisters’ students, patients, clients, etc. ASEC alumnae were encouraged to have at least one beneficiary complete the survey on their behalf but were permitted to distribute the survey to as many people as possible. Respondents were required to be 18 years of age or older.
Key Beneficiary Survey Results
Key results gathered via the 2024 ASEC Beneficiary Survey included:
- 97% (n = 734) report that sisters have improved their quality of life.
- 99% (n = 540) indicated that sisters are trusted figures in their community.
- 98% (n = 536) prefer utilizing institutions (e.g., schools, hospitals, etc.) run by sisters.
- 98% (n = 537) report that sisters in their country are competent.
- 98% (n = 537) indicated that ASEC programs are preparing sisters to better serve their community.
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Beneficiary Impact Statement Highlights
Beneficiaries were also asked to describe the impact ASEC alumnae have had on their lives. Responses to this survey item were powerful and provided descriptions of many concrete ways sisters are making a difference in the lives of the people they serve. Some examples included:
“They are the ones that I have journeyed with from when I was a nobody in education till here, wherever I have reached in my education, I truly thank them for making me who I am today, for making sure that I have a better life.”
“I am a survivor of trafficking and if it wasn’t for Sister Lilly to hold my hand and 14 other girls, I don’t know if I would still be alive. I am strong today because I have her in my life.”
“I am who l am because of the empowerment received from the Catholic sisters and I feel to be a true servant of Christ.”
“Catholic sisters have nurtured and groomed me to what I am, they have impacted a great level of discipline to my life which is still the reason as to why I am progressing and succeeding in everything.”
“Because they have given a baseline of Catholic faith and I’m able to be proud of being a Catholic.”
“They contributed to the reason why my right ankle was not amputated as a result of a road accident when I was taken to their hospital.”
“I have learnt humility, patience and resourcefulness. Their ability to create and make things out of a little is always a take home for me.”
“I am what I am because of the Catholic sisters.”
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This article is addressing the following UN Sustainable Development Goal(s):
