Rays of Hope 2020 ASEC Annual Newsletter

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Rays of Hope 2020 Articles

Thank you to our amazing partners, donors and friends (Donations between 9/1/2019 and 8/31/2020)

Appreciation for ASEC Donors in 2020

Thank you to our amazing 2020 supporters! What we do is not possible without you. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.

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

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.

Sisters celebrate the graduation of HESA participants from ASEC partner university, St. Augustine University College (SAUT), in Mwanza, Tanzania (2019).

Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) Program, 2020 Year in Review

A year in review of the Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA) program. Read HESA news, graduation announcements, student achievements and program growth as HESA Phase II Year 3 comes to a close.

Sr. Draru talks with students of ASEC partner, Jordan University College (JUCO), in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Diving into the New Normal

ASEC Executive Director Sr. Draru Mary Cecilia, LSMIG, Ph.D. reflects on the resilience of ASEC's sister-students in Africa in the midst of a global pandemic.

ASEC Service trip photos from Kenya (2017) and Ghana (2019).

Service Learning program provides unique and beneficial opportunity for college students

COVID-19 postpones 2020 Service Learning trip to Ghana, but recent trends show benefits of the program.

Conference of Major Superiors of Religious in Ghana (CMSRGH) and local consultants working together to improve internal systems during ASEC's first year of the pilot Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) program.

Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) Program, Year 1 Outcomes

The first year of ICB has provided many useful lessons ASEC can use for capacity building with future institutions.

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

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.

Congratulations to Sr. Esther and Sr. Kiden, the two sisters selected for ASEC's pilot Ph.D. program.

Two Sister Candidates Selected for ASEC Pilot Ph.D. Program

Two doctoral sister-students selected for the pilot phase of ASEC's Ph.D. Scholarship Program. They will be pursuing their doctoral degrees at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Kenya.

SLDI & HESA participant Sr. Teopista is the supervisor of a Ugandan bread bakery, supplying 70-80 loaves of bread per day to schools, hotels, supermarkets and the local community. During an site visit to the bakery, she gave ASEC staff a tour of the bakery and explained the bread-making process (June, 2019).

Bread Bakery Brings Employment, Skill Building and Food Supply to Ugandan Community

The education Sr. Teopista gained through both SLDI and HESA help a bakery to thrive and provide nourishment to a Ugandan community.

Due to COVID-19, the inaugural ICR conference was held virtually at the end of September, 2020.

ASEC/CARA Host Inaugural International Consultative Research (ICR) Conference Virtually

In September, 2020, ASEC held the inaugural ICR Conference, which provided an opportunity for researchers around the globe to collaborate in the initiation of an international network of research on religious life.

SLDI participants  of Administration Track visit school children in Fukayosi Villiage in Tanzania.

The Impact on Education in Africa - ASEC Special Evaluation Report

How alumnae of ASEC's SLDI and HESA programs are impacting ministries in primary and secondary education in Africa.

Staff & partners visited Nkozi Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, where HESA alumna Sr. Harriet Baker, IMHR, serves as Nursing Director, supervising ≈100 healthcare workers. From L-R:  Rosemary Shaver, Sr. Harriet Baker, April Fowlkes, Tara Lopatofsky

My Experience as a HESA Liaison

April Fowlkes reflects on her experience coordinating ASEC's HESA program at Chestnut Hill College and taking her first trip to Africa (Uganda) in June 2019.

Determined, Resilient, Aids-Free, Mentored, Safe (DREAMS) project, is made possible through the collaboration of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Lesotho, USAID and Catholic Relief Services.

"DREAMS" Program Reduces HIV/AIDS Among Young Women and Girls in Lesotho

SLDI alumna Sr. Anacletta implements a program to increase access to HIV/AIDS services and reduce the number of new HIV/AIDS cases among adolescent girls and young women in Lesotho.

Grant Provides African Communities with Food and Sanitation Supplies during COVID-19

Grant Provides African Communities with Food and Sanitation Supplies during COVID-19

An SHCJ/ASEC joint effort provides financial support to African sisters responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and serving the poor and vulnerable in their communities.

A successful grant proposal by ASEC staff member Sr. Teresa Mulenga, TS, provides members of 5 HIV/AIDS support groups in Malawi with sanitation materials like tap buckets and soap. The members were also taught proper hand-washing techniques to keep them healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Catholic Sisters Serve Africa's Most Vulnerable During Global Pandemic

Sisters from ASEC's programs are finding new and innovative ways to serve the poor and vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Service Learning participant Kirsten Gillern shares her experience at Padre Pio Rehabilitation Centre, where she donated over 200 instruments for special needs children at the centre.

Student Donates Musical Instruments to Ghanian Children with Special Needs

Service Learning participant reflects on her volunteer experience and sharing her love of music with children with special needs in Ghana.

2020 ASEC Annual Board Meetings take place virtually

2020 ASEC Annual Board Meetings take place virtually

April 27-28: ASEC’s annual Advisory Board and Board of Directors Meetings took place via Zoom due to social distancing restrictions.

Innovative Technology Brings Fluoride-Free, Clean Water to Kenyans

Innovative Technology Brings Fluoride-Free, Clean Water to Kenyans

SLDI alumna collaborates with partners to implement an innovative water filtration process to remove fluoride and provide over 7,000 in Kasarani, Kenya with clean water.

You can support young girls in Africa by donating to the education of a Sister who uplifts her every single day.

Advancing the Girl Child in Africa: Catholic Sisters Empower the Next Generation of Women

Nuns in Africa are using their education to become change agents and forces multipliers of good by leading and supporting young women.

Young boys in Lesotho receive handmade masks and attend a COVID-19 prevention workshop facilitated by Sr. Theresia Noko, SCO. Sr. Theresia is an alumna of ASEC's SLDI program.

COVID-19 updates from ASEC

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic it is important that we reach out to ASEC partners, supporters and beneficiaries to communicate our deep care and support.

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