News and Stories

When Sr. Christine Mubanga first arrived at Kalubula Primary School in rural Zambia, she was greeted not by a school building—but by a grass-thatched shelter and just twenty students, none of whom could afford basic supplies. Her mission was daunting: grow the school and uplift education in the surrounding villages. But in a region neglected by the government, where families barely survived through subsistence farming, the challenge stretched far beyond just a lack of classrooms and supplies.

When Ward Brehm first heard about Sisters Rising Worldwide, it came through a curious invitation from a friend of SRW, Ed Flaherty. Ed said, “I want you to have breakfast with me and three nuns.” Ward waited for the punchline, but the meeting turned out to be no joke. Sitting across the table from Sister Irene O’Neill and two Sisters from Africa, he heard about a bold vision: to connect over 650,000 Sisters around the globe, amplifying their efforts to dismantle poverty, oppression, and injustice.

Sr. Swapna Devasia discovered an unexpected avenue for empowerment by combining her passion for baking with the needs of marginalized girls and women in her community. Read her story.

Sisters in Nigeria Empower Youth with Soap-Making Skills

Sr. Lydia Mariette Soita works at Immaculate Heart Hospital Kereita, the only medical facility within 30 miles of her community in rural Kenya. There, many live in slums and have few clothes to wear in the cold climate. After the hospital ambulance was involved in a serious accident, it was no longer reliable and deemed unsafe for patient transport. Without this lifeline, Sr. Lydia’s community suffered, especially pregnant women who, without safe transport, walked barefoot for miles to the hospital, sometimes giving birth on the side of the road before arriving. In one tragic case, a mother suffering complications from delivering her baby required treatment at a larger hospital. With no ambulance to transport her, a taxi service was called that took too long to arrive. The young mother died before reaching the hospital.

Sisters in Uganda complete a 6-month training program for young mothers to equip them with job and financial literacy skills they need to thrive.

Thanks to SRW donor support, Sisters from around the world are strengthening the health of their communities through an innovative e-learning program. Medicines for Humanity’s E-Learning for Health Workers offers low-cost online learning solutions for Sisters working as local healthcare providers. The self-paced courses cover topics including healthcare program management and leadership, nutrition, maternal and child health communication, advocacy, and more. Fourteen PeaceRoom Sisters registered for courses from across Europe, Asia, and Africa, with SRW covering enrollment costs.

A New X-Ray Machine at San Martín de Porres Dominican Hospital Center is Saving Lives

Dawn’s Place is a project supported by Sisters Rising Worldwide. We love receiving updates from our Sisters on how donations have helped change lives, just like Wendy’s remarkable journey.