African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC)

A 3-day long virtual partners workshop was held June 15-17, 2021 as staff, partners and stakeholders prepare for the next phase of the Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) program. 

ASEC’s SLDI (ES-elle-dee-eye) program provides sisters with technology, administration and finance training through three one-month workshops over three years. Since 2007, African sisters who participate in SLDI gain practical skills and confidence to build strong networks and take up leadership roles in their congregations and communities. The program, funded by Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, plans to enter phase VI on April 1, 2022.

A partners workshop is held every three years as the SLDI program enters a new phase. The 2021 workshop objectives were as follows:

1. To provide participants with greater knowledge about ASEC as an organization, its programs and specifically the SLDI program.
2. To engage partners to review and give feedback on the revised SLDI Phase VI curriculum to enrich the program content, delivery and evaluation, for the benefit of SLDI participants and those they serve.
3. Review and provide feedback on the revised SLDI transcript and allotment of hours to each content area.
4. Provide a platform for the sharing of insights and experiences from partners to strengthen the SLDI program.

Important discussions took place, especially surrounding updates and changes to the SLDI program planned for Phase VI. Specifically, ASEC will introduce Social Entrepreneurship to the SLDI program and reintroduce Web Design as an advanced technology training option for sisters. The proposed Social Entrepreneurship curriculum is intended to assist sisters in applying the administration and finance skills they've learned in a business setting. Through Social Entrepreneurship training, sisters will learn how to set up and run commercial ventures or enterprises, while providing jobs for the less privileged while contributing  to the sustainability of their religious congregations.

ASEC will continue to work closely with partners and consultants to develop the curriculum for these two additions. 

Jaime Lyn Bloxham, MPA, ASEC Program Manager, SLDI & Service Learning adds,

“Our partnerships are a vital key to the success of ASEC’s programs. I would like to thank each and every one of you for all that you do for ASEC- What we are all a part of is something quite extraordinary!”

ASEC is grateful to all who participated in the 2021 SLDI Partners Workshop and the continuous efforts of our partners and stakeholders. The continued support and dedication of our partners is invaluable to ASEC and our mission to facilitate access to education for Catholic sisters of Africa. We look forward to implementing suggestions from the fruitful conversations that took place and are excited to continue our collaborative efforts in SLDI Phase IV and beyond.

Special thanks to the workshop planning committee:

• Jaime Lyn Bloxham, MPA, ASEC Program Manager, SLDI & Service Learning
• Tara Lopatofsky, Ph.D., CCLS, ASEC Senior Program Manager, Monitoring & Evaluation
• Sr. Lina Wanjiku Ndung'u, SE, ASEC Regional Director East & Central Africa
• Sr. Francisca Damoah, SIJ, ASEC Regional Director West Africa
• Sr. Clarisse Remjika Jaiwo, SST, ASEC Director - Cameroon
• Sr. Mary Germina Keneema, MSMMC, ASEC Director – Uganda
• Sr. Joyce Kwamboka Nyakwama, SSND, ASEC Director – Kenya
• Sr. Hilaria Chombo, SBVM, ASEC Director - Malawi
• Sr. Teresa Mulenga, TS, ASEC Programs Coordinator – Malawi

ASEC Executive Director, Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, Ph.D., would also like to acknowledge ASEC staff in the US and Africa who participated at various levels throughout the workshop. She adds,

“I am grateful to each and every one of you for the valuable unique contribution you made to the success of the SLDI Partners Workshop 2021.”

Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, PhD
Profiled in article
Executive Director  

Amy Fedele
Author
Former ASEC Media & Communications Manager - USA