On January 29th at Pope Paul VI Memorial Hotel in Rubaga, Uganda, and February 8th at Mbagala Spiritual Centre, Tanzania, the Sisters Blended Value Project (SBVP) orchestrated a pivotal event—the Action to Learning Project (ALPs) presentation. During these sessions, participating sisters showcased practical and impactful social entrepreneurship projects they had diligently worked on. ALPs represent educational initiatives that integrate theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experiences. These endeavors go beyond traditional academic learning by prioritizing experiential education. Within the SBVP training framework, congregations are consistently encouraged to devise projects that benefit their communities and address relevant social issues. Participants actively apply their theoretical knowledge to real-life situations through these projects, fostering a dynamic learning environment. Reflection plays a crucial role in this process, prompting participants to analyze their experiences, gain insights, and consider improvements for future endeavors.
During the SBVP ALP presentation sessions, Dr. Angela Ndunge, the SBVP Project Investigator, provided comprehensive updates on the significant advancements made by various congregations through ALPs. She emphasized the crucial role of ALPs in driving learning and progress within the dynamic landscape of social entrepreneurship. By embracing an interdisciplinary approach, these projects cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter while enhancing critical skills such as problem-solving and teamwork. Often involving collaboration among sisters who have undergone SBVP training within the congregation, ALP empowers participants to tackle genuine societal challenges, promoting a strong sense of social responsibility. Emphasizing continuous improvement, these initiatives create a cyclical learning process, refining approaches based on feedback and evolving circumstances. SBVP participants are expected to work on their projects and present their ALPs before a panel of judges, primarily consisting of industry experts. By applying theoretical concepts to real-world challenges, participants gain invaluable experiential insights into the complexities of societal issues, resulting in a profound understanding.
The continuous cycle of action and reflection enables Catholic sisters to refine their strategies based on actual implementation, optimizing their initiatives for maximum impact. This hands-on approach cultivates adaptability and resilience while facilitating engagement with diverse stakeholders, ranging from local communities to experienced coaches. The tangible outcomes achieved through these actions further validate the effectiveness of the initiatives, establishing credibility among participants. Moreover, navigating through setbacks and failures inherent in the entrepreneurial journey yields invaluable lessons that contribute to long-term success.
As the congregations accelerate their efforts to transform their social ministries into sustainable social enterprises, sisters actively involve the community, enabling the assessment of scalability and developing innovative solutions to complex social challenges. The symbiotic relationship between knowledge and action forms the linchpin of social entrepreneurship, propelling initiatives towards sustainable and scalable models that generate meaningful impact on a broader scale. The positive correlation observed between ALPs, increased knowledge, management experience, and reduced losses ensures the long-term sustainability of the project.
SBVP is fully committed to reshaping the social ministries of Catholic sisters into sustainable social enterprises. In an ever-changing world where constant adaptation becomes essential, Action Learning emerges as the driving force behind this transformation. The dynamic nature of our surroundings demands an ongoing acquisition and application of new skills. The ability to rapidly acquire and apply new knowledge is pivotal. Thanks to the partnerships of Strathmore University Business School and ACWECA and the support of the Conrad Hilton Foundation, sisters are steadily making significant progress in overcoming financial challenges, signaling the positive trajectory of the SBVP’s endeavors.
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