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. Nkechi has been a Sister of the Poor handmaids of Jesus Christ for 19 years. (Right side photo: Photo by Nnaemeka Ugochukwu on Unsplash.com)

Leadership Success: My Life Journey After ASEC

Sep 26, 2022: [Nigeria] Inspired by God’s divine love and the spirit of Saint Katharina Kasper, Sister Salesiana Bach, the then Provincial Superior of the German Province, and her leadership team took a courageous decision to embark on a journey of faith on April 4th, 2006.

Sisters Odette and Cecilia exploring the technology of the phone at an SLDI workshop in Cameroon, 2019.

Using Technology to Strengthen Ministries

Sep 8, 2022: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia] Last spring, the New York Times published an article about how women religious are sharing their experiences through social media platforms, like TikTok. In this article we reflect on the recent trends and explain how our sisters are learning to utilize technology.

ASEC Executive Director, staff, country coordinators and SLDI program participants meet via Zoom to discuss how the program is helping congregations succeed.

SLDI Participants meet with Executive Director, Share the Impact of Computer Technology Workshops

Sep 6, 2022: [Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, USA] ASEC Sisters from Zambia, Tanzania and other countries in Africa have gathered recently for Basic Technology workshops as a part of the SLDI program. Last month they met with ASEC Executive Director Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia to discuss what they learned and why it is important.

ASEC Sisters complete a Basic Technology class in Nigeria, similar to the class the sisters in this article completed recently.

Sisters Learn Email, Facebook in Technology Workshop, Use Platforms to Express Gratitude

Aug 31, 2022: [Kenya] ASEC Sisters in Kenya recently participated in a Basic Technology workshop where they learned how to e-mail, create a Facebook page and other ways to communicate via digital platforms. The first thing they did was express their gratitude.

ASEC Sisters are pictured walking during a HESA Reflective Learning workshop in Uganda, 2022.

Coming and Going: Trusting God’s Path for Sisters

Aug 2, 2022: [Uganda] Working in a collaborative network of sisters from various congregations, countries and continents demonstrates the value of each individual's footprint on the organization.

Students follow instruction during a 2018 visit to Infant Jesus Prep in Ghana.

It Takes a Village: Caring for the Kids

Jul 5, 2022: [Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda] Taking care of kids takes a village - something ASEC Sisters understand well. It is not just tucking them in at night and making sure they are accounted for during the day, it is also making sure their future is taken care of as well.

ASEC Sisters tour an organic farm in Uganda

Protecting the Planet: How ASEC Sisters have honored Mother Earth

Jun 1, 2022: [Kenya, Malawi, SouthSudan] “In 2010-2019 average annual global greenhouse gas emissions were at their highest levels in human history, but the rate of growth has slowed.” - IPCC Report on climate change.

ASEC Sisters attend the SLDI program in Tanzania

Providing Nutritional Support to HIV/AIDS Patients in Tanzania

Apr 6, 2022: [Tanzania] When basic survival needs such as food and shelter are in jeopardy, education falls lower on the priority list.

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.

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.

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.