Sisters of Faith, Sisters of Enterprise: My Journey Across Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia

The months of August and September 2026 were a season of celebration for the Sisters Blended Value Project (SBVP). I had the privilege of journeying across Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia to witness Catholic Sisters graduate after a year of capacity building, coaching, and mentorship.

Each gathering was filled with song, prayer, celebration, and a palpable sense of possibility. Yet, beyond the ceremonies themselves, what moved me most was witnessing women of faith equipped with new knowledge, skills, and confidence to strengthen the enterprises through which they serve their communities.

For me, the journey offered a powerful glimpse of what happens when faith meets enterprise and tradition embraces innovation.

The Power of Voices

In Malawi, the graduation hall pulsed with energy. Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Frederick Mwakhawawa of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe reminded the Sisters: “You are called to serve, but also to lead.”

Representing the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Sr. Agnes Njeri spoke about entrepreneurship as a pathway to empowerment, encouraging the Sisters to approach their social enterprises with passion and a commitment to sustainability.

Dr. Angela Ndunge, Principal Investigator of SBVP at Strathmore University Business School, emphasised resilience as essential to enterprise, affirming that the Sisters were now better equipped to participate confidently in the marketplace alongside other entrepreneurs.

The Pro-Chancellor of Strathmore University, Rev. Dr. Fr. Silvano Ochuodho, reflected on education as a foundation for transformation, while Sr. Eneless Chimbali, Senior Program Officer for AACSS, reinforced the importance of solidarity and hope.

Listening to these different voices, I was struck by how naturally the various strands of the programme came together: education, mentorship, faith, enterprise, and partnership.

Innovation Rooted in Faith

In Tanzania, the graduation carried a distinct richness of culture and celebration. Sr. Auxilla Hokororo, Chairperson of the Tanzania Association of Sisterhoods, spoke about lifelong learning as part of the Sisters’ vocation.

Dr. Angela Ndunge again highlighted the importance of resilience, while the Pro-Chancellor encouraged the Sisters to embrace innovation and explore digital pathways that could strengthen their enterprises.

The keynote speaker, Fr. Fidelis Mwangónda, offered an important reminder: “Faith must remain the anchor of your endeavors.”

His words captured something central to the SBVP journey. Enterprise does not require the Sisters to step away from their mission. Rather, it can become another way of living that mission—creating sustainable solutions, strengthening ministries, and responding creatively to the needs of the communities they serve.

I left Tanzania feeling that the graduation was not a conclusion, but a new beginning. The Sisters were being challenged to take what they had learned and turn it into action.

Songs of Solidarity and Leadership

In Zambia, the spirit of collaboration was unmistakable. Songs filled the air, cultural expressions enriched the celebration, and the Sisters’ enterprises were recognised as practical responses to local challenges.

The keynote speaker, Bishop George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata, highlighted the vital contribution of Catholic Sisters to their communities through faith-driven innovation.

Sr. Brigita Samba Mwawasi, Secretary General of ACWECA, encouraged the Sisters to remain steadfast in their mission and to view their enterprises not simply as economic ventures, but as instruments of hope, dignity, and service.

As I watched the celebrations unfold, I was reminded that the strength of the SBVP lies not only in what individual Sisters learn, but also in the connections created across countries, congregations, institutions, and communities.

The experiences in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia may have been different, but they reflected a shared aspiration: to equip Sisters with the confidence and capabilities to build enterprises that are both sustainable and rooted in their mission.

A Journey of Shared Possibility

Travelling across the three countries allowed me to see the broader picture of what SBVP is helping to build. The Sisters are not simply acquiring business skills. They are exploring new ways of sustaining their ministries, creating value within their communities, and responding to social and economic challenges.

I was particularly struck by the convergence of voices throughout the journey—Bishops, educators, Sisters, programme leaders, and partners—each contributing to a shared vision of women of faith who can lead, innovate, and serve.

The graduations therefore represented an important transition: from learning to application, from training to action, and from individual growth to wider community impact.

Gratitude for the Journey

Looking back, I feel deeply inspired by the Sisters I encountered. Their joy, determination, creativity, and willingness to learn reminded me that meaningful transformation often begins when people are given the opportunity, knowledge, and support to see what is possible.

I am equally grateful for the partnerships that make this work possible, particularly Strathmore University Business School, ACWECA, and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Their investment in the capacity of Catholic Sisters through SBVP is helping create opportunities for women religious to strengthen enterprises and contribute to more sustainable communities.

I return from Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia carrying more than memories of beautiful graduation ceremonies. I carry the stories of women who are taking bold steps to connect their faith and mission with enterprise and innovation.

For me, that is the heart of this journey: when faith is lived boldly, it can inspire enterprise; and when enterprise is rooted in service, it can become a pathway to hope, dignity, and lasting impact.

And that is a journey worth continuing.

By Sr. Celestine Nasiali, OA – Regional Coordinator, SBVP