Through ASEC’s Scholarship Program, Sr. Wirba Blandine Kinyuy became the first ASEC-sponsored sister to study civil engineering, using her training to strengthen infrastructure and support sustainable development in Cameroon.
Sr. Wirba Blandine Kinyuy of the Sisters of St. Ann (SSA) is a trailblazer, not only at ASEC but in her ministry, community, and country. She is the first ASEC-sponsored sister to pursue studies in civil engineering, breaking new ground in a field where women remain significantly underrepresented. In July of 2025, through the ASEC Scholarship Program, she earned a Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology from the National Polytechnic University Institute in Bamenda, Cameroon.
Civil engineers plan, design, and supervise the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects1. In a rapidly developing country like Cameroon, this profession directly impacts economic growth, public health, and overall quality of life2. Roads, housing, drainage systems, and public buildings all depend on skilled engineers. Yet despite the country’s growing infrastructure needs, relatively few qualified professionals exist in the field—and even fewer are women.
Sr. Wirba believes that “passion and curiosity to effect change, led by God’s grace, can drive us beyond mere imaginations.”
That belief was tested when her congregation encouraged her to pursue engineering. “You are going to do engineering,” they told her, “so choose a field of engineering and enroll.” Transitioning from her previous academic background into an entirely different technical discipline was not easy. She describes it as a challenging step into the unknown—one that ultimately carried her beyond her expectations.
Today, Sr. Wirba applies her training by overseeing maintenance and repairs within her religious community, designing construction plans, and preparing building estimates with professional judgment and high standards of quality. Her expertise ensures that projects are not only structurally sound but also sustainable and cost-effective.
Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “knowing the difference is the key to making right choices and implementing long-lasting solutions.”
For Sr. Wirba, civil engineering is not simply about constructing buildings—it is about building a nation. Through faith, education, and determination, she is contributing to the growth and development of Cameroon, demonstrating how investing in the education of a Catholic sister strengthens communities and shapes the future.
- 1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm
- 2. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/S2_Cameroon%20Construction%20Sector%20August%202025.pdf
Educate a Sister. Build Stronger Communities.
Sr. Wirba’s education in civil engineering shows how investing in sisters’ professional formation can strengthen communities in new and powerful ways. While you cannot donate directly to her ministry, you can sponsor the education of another sister preparing to serve where expertise is needed most. Your gift supports higher education and leadership formation that equips sisters to design solutions, strengthen institutions, and improve lives across Africa.
This article is addressing the following UN Sustainable Development Goal(s):
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