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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90% of the children attending the school where Sr. Mary Mukuha, FMI ministers did not have a desk. A lack of basic facilities, such as desks, contributes to an inability to facilitate effective learning.

The Classroom Without Desks in Rural Kenya

Aug 29, 2019: [Kenya] A lack of desks for school students remains a serious problem in rural areas in Kenya. But, Sr. Mary is changing that for students of Fr. Anthony Pagani Primary School.

ASEC staff and partners visit to Kikyusa Primary & Secondary schools in Kikyusa, Uganda, run by the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross (MHC).

ASEC Staff Visit Alumnae Projects in Uganda

Aug 19, 2019: [Uganda] ASEC staff and partners visit several ASEC alumnae projects in Uganda to learn more about how ASEC programs are helping Sisters in their ministry work and service to the poor and marginalized:

Soon after graduating from ASEC's SLDI program, Sr. Elizabeth Kasanga was promoted to be Assistant Headmistress of the Corradini Pre and Primary School in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Teachers in Africa Battle Educational Poverty

Aug 1, 2019: [Ghana, Kenya, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Zambia] Across Africa, Catholic Sisters battle educational poverty and so much more as they mold the minds of the future generation.

HESA partners from 10 countries traveled to Uganda for the first HESA conference held June 19-23 in Uganda. Here, ASEC Executive Director Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, Ph.D. (left) joins HESA partners from Cameroon for a photo.

First HESA Partners Conference takes place in Uganda

Jul 22, 2019: [Uganda] ASEC held its inaugural HESA Partners Conference June 19-23, 2019, at the Speke Resort Munyonyo and Conference Center in Kampala, Uganda.

As they develop skills in areas relevant to their ministries and congregations, participants of ASEC's Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) program build their capacity to act as servant leaders and role models. Photo of SLDI Finance I workshop particpants in Uganda (July, 2018)

8 Characteristics of Servant Leaders (with examples and quotes)

Jul 10, 2019: [USA] The 8 characteristics of servant leaders and quotes from true servant leaders that emphasize the impact of education on servant leadership.

Sisters at the Forefront of Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

Jul 1, 2019: [Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia] African Sisters are practicing sustainable agriculture and farming to solve problems like malnutrition and food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sr. Maria (second from left) celebrating 2018 Christmas with Maasai society in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. She says,

Charisms of congregations save lives, heal wounds and bring hope to the hopeless

Jun 24, 2019: [Tanzania] Exploring the apostolate of Catholic Sisters who save lives, heal wounds and bring hope to those who are hopeless.

Sr. Esther began her ministry work with a community based health care program, caring for HIV/AIDS patients living in the Nairobi slums.

From Nursing Student to Hospital CEO

Jun 10, 2019: [Kenya] HESA pilot nursing student achieves success as CEO of St. Francis Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.

Catholic nuns with healing hands and valuable nursing skills are improving healthcare in communities across Africa.

Nursing Education Helping Nuns Improve Healthcare in Africa

Jun 3, 2019: [Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia] Catholic nuns in Africa receive quality education through ASEC, providing them with valuable nursing skills to improve healthcare in their communities.

HESA Alumna Sr. Anne Kamene, ASN (front, center) is the Director of Cheshire Home for Girls in Lumuru, Kenya. Cheshire Home provides a residential and training program for girls with varying mental and physical disabilities.

Turning Disability Into Possibility for Girls in Africa (The Story of Cheshire Home)

May 27, 2019: [Kenya] HESA alumna Sr. Anne is providing opportunities for girls with mental and physical disabilities in Kenya so they can reach their true potential.

Sisters Spearhead Youth Projects in Africa, Providing Hope for the Future Generation

May 6, 2019: [Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda] Religious sisters across Africa are using their ASEC education to spearhead projects in support of Africa's youth and future generation.

Tara Lopatofsky, Ph.D., CCLS, successfully defends her doctoral dissertation research on March 28, 2019 at Marywood University, Scranton, PA.

Dr. Tara Lopatofsky, Awarded Ph.D. for Research on Catholic Sisters in Kenya

Apr 25, 2019: [Kenya, USA] ASEC HESA Evaluator Tara Lopatofsky, Ph.D., CCLS receives Doctorate in Administration and Leadership from Marywood University after successful defense of her research on the impact of post-secondary education on Catholic Sisters in Kenya.

Many people living in sub-Saharan Africa are afraid to begin life anew due to disease, poverty and lack of resources. Catholic Sisters bring renewed hope to poor and marginalized communities across Africa.

Rebirth; Sisters Renew Hope in Africa for the Poor and Marginalized

Apr 1, 2019: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Uganda] ASEC educates religious women who are renewing hope in Africa for poor and marginalized communities. Catholic Sisters provide hope in Africa many people living who are afraid to begin life anew due to disease, poverty and lack of resources.

Sr. Caroline was asked to facilitate a workshop for junior sisters preparing for perpetual vows. The topic she presented about was