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. Astridah recognized that most public health messages regarding the pandemic were only being transmitted in English, which made the information inaccessible to many Zambian citizens. So, she invited other sisters on her radio program in order to translate critical pandemic information to local dialects.

Nun's Radio Show Disseminates COVID-19 Info to Zambians in Multiple Languages

Apr 20, 2021: [Zambia] Sr. Astridah is using the leadership skills she learned in ASEC's SLDI program to share critical health information about COVID-19 pandemic to 1.5 million Zambians via a multilingual radio show.

Through ASEC's SLDI program, sisters are learning to be effective leaders, articulate the needs of their communities and find the pathway to successfully fulfilling those needs.

Following the Ripples - How Educating One Person Can Benefit Hundreds in Need

Apr 19, 2021: [Zambia] The stories of four African women who used their education to change the lives of hundreds of people they serve.

Using the leadership, technology and finance training she gained through SLDI, Sr. Norah (left) she secured a grant to build the new Baringo Maternity Wing specifically to reduce and prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Reducing the Spread and Stigma of HIV/AIDS in Kenya

Apr 12, 2021: [Kenya] Sr. Norah is saving lives by providing preventative care and support services that reduce the spread and stigma of HIV/AIDS in Kenya.

Catholic Sisters are implementing safety and protection measures for youth using the education and skills they gained through ASEC-sponsored programs. In Cameroon, SLDI alumna Sr. Ayumbi’s leadership skills were put to the test when she spearheaded a team that liberated 20 kidnapped children.

Catholic Sisters Create a Safer World by Protecting Africa’s Children

Apr 5, 2021: [Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia] Catholic sisters are creating and running programs to protect the children who are the most at-risk among Africa’s rapidly growing population.

Many Catholic sisters in Africa dedicate their lives to ensuring the safety and protection of vulnerable children.

Meet 3 Sisters Behind Programs & Policies that Protect African Children

Mar 29, 2021: [Ghana, Kenya, Zambia] ASEC alumnae implement programs and policies that protect and promote the welfare of children in Kenya, Ghana and Zambia.

ASEC staff conducted a site visit to Boni Consilii Girls Vocational Secondary school in June, 2018, and were able to meet Sr. Lilian, Sr. Lucia and some of the girls who attend the school.

Hundreds of Girls in Rural Uganda Benefit from Practical, Holistic Education

Mar 15, 2021: [Uganda] Two Catholic nuns have used their education to advance the Boni Consilii school, providing previously unimagined opportunity to young girls in Uganda.

Catholic nuns who have graduated from ASEC's programs have created over 5,200+ jobs in underserved African communities. Here, members of a women's group created by Sr. Stephany learn the skill of soap-making, which will give them the ability to create income for their families.

The Unlikely Women Creating Jobs and Reducing Poverty in Africa

Mar 1, 2021: [Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda] ASEC program participants are applying their education and skills to create and sustain jobs across Africa.

As a trauma survivor herself, Sr. Judith uses her experiences & expertise to help victims and perpetrators of SGBV heal.

Helping Survivors Heal from Trauma in Northern Uganda

Feb 15, 2021: [Uganda] Sr. Judith received a grant to start the Capacitar Trauma Healing project in response to the effects of war crimes & cultural acceptance of sexual & gender-based violence (SGBV) in Northern Uganda.

Sisters Josephine, Gisele and Anne are providing holistic education for students in Kenya.

Holistic Education & Life Skill Development in Kenya

Feb 8, 2021: [Kenya] After three Kenyan sisters received their training and education through ASEC, they needed ensure students' needs were met holistically in order to successfully provide a formal education.

Sustainable Development Goal 5, Target 5.3, aims to eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation by 2030.

4 Women Changing the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Narrative in Africa

Feb 1, 2021: [Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda] 4 Catholic sisters whose service work is helping to prevent and reduce sexual and gender-based violence in Africa.

Clockwise, from top left: Alumnae workshop in Kenya (Feb. 2020). Sr. Victoria Ajio, MSBVM, attending a South Sudan SLDI Finance workshop. Sisters in Cameroon receive laptops during an Administration workshop. Tanzanian sisters receive books at a 2020 Administration workshop.

Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) Program, 2020 Year in Review

Dec 9, 2020: [Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, SouthSudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, USA] A year in review of the Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI) program. Read about milestones, news and experiences from 2020 as SLDI Phase V begins.

Sr. Christabel, an SLDI student in Uganda, works from a tent on her congregation's farm to get the best internet connectivity.

COVID-19 Highlights the Importance of Educating Catholic Sisters

Nov 9, 2020: [Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, USA] Throughout the pandemic, sisters are doing what they always do: they get the job done. Their problem solving skills and resilience are exactly what the world needs right now.

Sr. Augustina (center) with students of Mazenod High School in Maseru, Lesotho.

Girls' High School in Lesotho Thrives Under Sister's Stewardship

Oct 26, 2020: [Lesotho] “[SLDI] has helped me a great deal because I couldn't stand in front of different stakeholders and, you know, address them on issues. ASEC gave me the courage and stance to say, ‘Yeah this is what has to be done.’ For that, I’m grateful.”

Thanks to the Dominican Sisters, Holy Trinity Girls Secondary School is a place where students can live comfortable and flourish in their studies. But it wasn't always this way.