From August 18–22, 2025, the Msamba Catholic Centre was transformed into a dynamic epicenter of innovation and leadership. 24 Catholic sisters from eight congregations across the region gathered for the Sister Blended Value Program (SBVP) – Social Enterprise Development Program (SEDP Advance), a transformative workshop designed to merge spiritual mission with sustainable business acumen.
The opening session on August 18th immediately established the program’s profound purpose: preserving the spiritual heritage of religious life through innovative, values-aligned business models. This set the stage for a week of deep learning and reflection, challenging participants to see social enterprise as income generation and a powerful extension of their ministry.
The training workshop aimed to equip Catholic Sisters with the strategic tools to build self-sustaining, impactful enterprises that address pressing social challenges, uplift their communities, and financially support their congregations’ sacred charisms.
The program featured sessions by Dr. Angela Ndunge, the Project Principal Investigator, Dr. Nancy Njiraini, SBVP Research and Academic Lead, and Sr. Leonidah M. Shimanyula from the Association of Consecrated Women of East and Central Africa (ACWECA). These sessions illuminated the path forward, demonstrating how mission-driven enterprises can:
- Drive systemic change by tackling root causes of poverty and inequality.
- Provide alternative, sustainable models for community development.
- Sustain church and congregational ministries, ensuring long-term independence.
- Operate ethically guided by the Triple Bottom Line framework: People, Planet, and Profit.
Participants immersed themselves in a rigorous curriculum covering social enterprise fundamentals, financial management, strategic planning, and decision analysis. A significant focus was placed on leadership, exploring individual styles and the dynamics of building effective teams.
A pivotal moment came with the introduction of the Insight Tool. This reflective framework enabled each sister to evaluate her leadership style, identify innate strengths, and pinpoint areas for growth. This exercise in self-awareness proved decisive, helping leaders align their personal approach with their organization’s mission-driven goals.
The impact of the training was profound, resonating deeply with the participants. Their testimonials echoed a powerful shift in perspective: One sister shared, “I didn’t know much about social enterprises before. This training changed my mindset, I now see how the enterprise I manage can be sustainable and impactful.” Another participant noted, “I’ve learned how to measure the impact of my work. It’s empowering.” And another reflected, “I used to rely on donor funding. Now I believe in building a self-sustaining enterprise.”
Adding a profound spiritual dimension to the week, guest speaker Fr. David from Luntha TV reframed the entire concept of social enterprise. He reminded the sisters that stewardship is a sacred calling far exceeding mere management. Drawing from the parable of the talents, he articulated a vision of social enterprise as ministry itself—deeply rooted in faith, service, and accountability to God and community.
The SEDP Advance training was more than a classroom experience; it catalyzed personal and institutional transformation. The sisters departed with more than just new skills; they carried a renewed vision, a fortified spirit, and a practical roadmap for change.
The energy, commitment, and vision cultivated at Msamba promise a ripple effect of transformation across Malawi and beyond. These 24 changemakers are now torchbearers, ready to light the way for a future of inclusive, faith-rooted innovation that serves both the world and the Church.
Article by Sr. Peris Muchiri
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Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation foresees a world in which improving the human condition is a shared and sustainable goal. “Love one another, for that is the whole law,” Conrad Hilton wrote in his will. The peoples of the world “deserve to be loved and encouraged—never to be abandoned to wander alone in poverty and darkness.” That is our resolve.
