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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Sr. Victorine presents her ongoing research to US Staff

Visiting Scholar Researches How Social Media Can Help Congregations in Ghana

Mar 28, 2022: [Ghana, USA] US Staff hosted ASEC’s 8th Visiting Scholar, Sr. Victorine, on a virtual visit to their Marywood University office.

Assisting Cameroonian Refugees in Nigeria

Mar 22, 2022: [Cameroon, Nigeria] From helping Cameroonian refugees to securing grants to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Sr. Virgilia has helped many with the skills she acquired through ASEC.

ASEC Staff from Africa and the United States joined for staff training from March 1-4, 2022

Staff Training Focuses on Social Entrepreneurship

Mar 17, 2022: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, USA] “The work you do on a daily basis is strengthening the capacity of the sisters you serve.” - Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, Ph.D.

ASEC Sisters in 10 different countries of Africa are carrying out community projects to care for their communities and the earth

Caring for Earth, Caring for You: Catholic Sisters Week 2022

Mar 14, 2022: [Malawi, Zambia] Although celebrating the work of Catholic sisters is important every day, for one week each year we have a formal celebration – Catholic Sisters Week.

Sr. Victorine soon after landing in Washington, D.C., in January 2022.

8th Visiting Scholar Selected for CARA Research Fellowship

Mar 7, 2022: [Ghana] Sr. Victorine Atsufui Afi Dorkenoo of the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC), from Ghana, has been selected as the 8th CARA-ASEC Visiting Scholar.

Wasted 'gold' maize stalk can be used as a productive source of fuel and fertilizer.

Simple technology used for environmental conservation and sustainability in Malawi

Mar 3, 2022: [Malawi] ASEC staff and Alumnae inspires the Malawi nation through her simple technologies to conserve the environment.

Sr. Janet Kiden is the first sister to obtain a Ph.D. through ASEC’s Scholarship Program.

Educating the Educated: First ASEC Sister to Obtain Ph.D. Improves Schools in South Sudan

Feb 17, 2022: [SouthSudan] We know that education has the power to transform and change lives, but we seldom consider those who use research and study to improve education. This incredibly unique role is valuable to the spreading of knowledge and skills throughout Africa.

Photos from Mama Kevina Hope Center for Children with Disabilities in Tanzania, provided by Sr. Swai (pictured left).

8 Ways ASEC Sisters Are Fighting For Social Justice in Africa

Feb 1, 2022: [Cameroon, Kenya, SouthSudan, Uganda, Zambia] Each ASEC Sister brings a unique purpose to their communities as a result of their education and leadership training, empowering them to fight for social justice as exemplified in these eight projects.

Mgolole Orphanage Center, Tanzania is run by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters. It's known locally as

Celebrating the Ripple Effects of Service in Honor of MLK, Jr.

Jan 20, 2022: [none] What is the impact of one soul? Well, as demonstrated by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., one soul can impact the entire world. In 2022, we are still learning about the impact of his message.

Thank you to our amazing partners, donors and friends (Donations between 9/1/2020 and 8/31/2021)

Appreciation for ASEC Donors in 2021

Dec 6, 2021: [USA] Thank you to our amazing 2021 supporters! What we do is not possible without you. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.

The virtue of charitable giving enables ASEC to be a blessing and a bridge for the women religious in Africa who receive training and education and, in turn, become shining Rays of Hope to the people they serve in their societies.

Catholic Sisters: Building Virtue Bridges

Nov 22, 2021: [USA] Although the challenges of the pandemic continue to impact development efforts, ASEC continues to build virtue bridges for women religious in Africa with many positive outcomes in 2020-21.

ASEC's last two service trips to Africa have been postponed due to COVID-19, but staff are continuously working to improve the program experience. We remain eager to resume the program once it's safe to do so.

ASEC Plans to Resume Service Learning Program "As Soon as Possible"

Nov 15, 2021: [USA] Although 2020 and 2021 service trips to Africa were cancelled, ASEC continues to build infrastructure and partnerships to enhance the service trip experience when it's safe to do so.

Through the Research Initiative, ASEC strives to increase the academic literature available on Catholic women religious in Africa and develop sisters as critical investigators.

Catholic Sisters: Critical Investigators and Capable Researchers for Africa

Nov 8, 2021: [Ghana, Uganda, USA] In 2021, the ASEC Research Initiative saw tremendous growth in the areas of academic publication and research-related webinars. Learn how ASEC is supporting African sisters' in their scholarly research.

ASEC Executive Director Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LMSIG, speaks to students of NativityMiguel on October 15, 2021 at the Marian Chapel in the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life on Marywood University's campus in Scranton, PA. Many thanks to Mr. Tim Casey, Principal of NativtyMiguel, for sharing photos from the discussion.

ASEC Executive Director Speaks to Students of NativityMiguel School of Scranton

Nov 3, 2021: [Uganda, USA] ASEC Executive Director Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, speaks to students about her life, journey and experience as a religious sister from Uganda.

Sr. M. Tryphina Burchard, STH, ASEC Country Director (center), with two ASEC scholarship recipients during the 2021 Scholarship program orientation workshop in Tanzania.

Scholarship Program 2021: Bridging the Gap to Higher Education for Sisters in Africa

Nov 1, 2021: [Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia] A year in review of ASEC's Scholarship Program for women religious in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya and Lesotho. Read about the program growth, celebrations and achievements as 2021 comes to an end.

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