SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) \u2014 African Sisters Education Collaborative held its 2026 Night of Storytelling: Building Bridges \u2013 Strengthening Communities on Wednesday at Marywood University in Scranton, bringing community members together for personal accounts tied to the group\u2019s work with Catholic sisters across Africa.<\/p>\n
The fourth annual event, held in Marywood\u2019s Fireplace Lounge, featured three storytellers: Kelsi Curran, LCSW; Rev. Stephen Kow Bosomafi, V.F.; and Sr. Kathleen Burns, IHM. Organizers said the speakers shared personal narratives about their experiences with ASEC and how those connections shaped their understanding of the sisters\u2019 work, then took questions from the audience. The evening also included fundraising through a 50\/50 drawing and basket raffles to support ASEC\u2019s programs.<\/p>\n
Sister Nancy Kamau, director of development, African Sisters Education Collaborative, said the Night of Storytelling began as a way to get ASEC\u2019s story out in Scranton, using personal narratives to explain how the organization supports sisters in Africa through education and training. She said the group hopes people who attend will leave with a clearer sense of the sisters\u2019 impact and share that message in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sisters work with vulnerable people, and when they are out in the community, they impact so many lives. We want people to understand the work of sisters. Many may not know what sisters do, but sisters here in the United States have done so much. Now we want people to hear the story of the sisters in Africa and what they do,\u201d said Kamau.<\/p>\n
Based at Marywood University, ASEC supports women religious through education and training, including leadership development and technology training, along with degree programs ranging from bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s studies to doctoral-level work. The organization says those opportunities are meant to strengthen sisters\u2019 capacity to serve in their ministries and respond to challenges in their communities.<\/p>\n
Rosemary Shaver, senior program manager, African Sisters Education Collaborative, said she hopes the Night of Storytelling broadens awareness of the organization across Scranton and Northeastern Pennsylvania and connects ASEC\u2019s mission and work with people who want to learn more.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur office is based at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but we also have offices in 11 countries in Africa. I don\u2019t know that our work is broadly known in the community. It\u2019s rare to have an international organization like this in the Scranton area,\u201d said Shaver.<\/p>\n
ASEC says its programs serve 11 African countries and estimates ASEC alumni ministries have positively impacted 11.2 million people. Shaver said the organization provides education and training for sisters so they can expand ministries ranging from teaching and nursing to other specialized fields.<\/p>\n