We Continue to Listen, Empower and Walk with Our Young People
The 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly comes at a time when the Church in Eastern Africa is reflecting on one of its most pressing pastoral priorities, journeying with young people. Held under the theme, “AMECEA’s Synodal Journey with Young People: Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice and Good Governance,” the Assembly has brought together players from across the region to listen, discern and identify practical ways of responding to the realities facing young people today.
For the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK), these priorities are deeply enshrined in our mission. For over six decades, AOSK has brought together Catholic women religious to strengthen their shared mission of evangelisation and service to humanity. Across the 27 Catholic Dioceses of Kenya, sisters continue to respond to society’s evolving needs through ministries in education, healthcare, pastoral care, social protection, advocacy and community development. Their work places them at the heart of communities, accompanying children, young people, families and vulnerable populations with one main objective, preach hope.
The challenges facing young people today are complex. Unemployment, social exclusion, mental health concerns, unsafe migration, human trafficking, environmental degradation and limited access to quality education continue to affect millions across the region. Recognising these realities, AOSK has developed programmes that respond not only to immediate needs but also invest in long-term transformation by empowering individuals, strengthening families and building resilient communities.
Through the Sisters-Led Youth Empowerment Initiative (SLYI), AOSK empowers the youth with leadership skills, entrepreneurship training, mentorship and life skills that enable them to become confident, responsible and active contributors to society. The programme nurtures young leaders who are equipped to participate meaningfully in community development while embracing values of integrity, service and responsible citizenship.
The Association’s commitment to children and families is equally reflected through the Catholic Care for Children in Kenya (CCCK) programme, which advocates for holistic family and community-based care for children so that every child grows up in a safe, loving and protective environment. Complementing this effort is SCORE-ECD (Strengthening Capacity of religious in Early Childhood Development), which strengthens early childhood development by supporting caregivers, educators and communities to provide nurturing care for children under 5 in partnership with the Catholic Relief Services.
AOSK also advances human dignity through its Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) programme, which promotes social justice, peacebuilding, environmental stewardship, safeguarding, human rights and advocacy for the most vulnerable. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, the programme encourages communities to become active participants in building peaceful, just and sustainable societies where every person can flourish.
AOSK continues to invest in this renewal through strategic partnerships that strengthen the capacity of women religious. Working closely with the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC), the Association promotes leadership development, professional education and formation programmes that prepare sisters to respond effectively to emerging pastoral and development challenges. This commitment is further advanced through Chemichemi ya Uzima College, a centre of learning that has, for twenty-five years, formed religious women and other professionals in theology, leadership, counselling, education and social sciences. As the college celebrates Silver Jubilee in September 2026, it continues to expand its impact by equipping young people with practical, market-driven skills through its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
The challenges facing young people today demand collective action. Governments, the Church, development partners, educational institutions, civil society organisations and local communities all have a role to play in creating opportunities where young people can thrive. AOSK believes that partnerships multiply impact, strengthen innovation and ensure that solutions are rooted in the lived realities of the people they serve.
AOSK remains resolute in its commitment to walking alongside the next generation with conviction, empathy and fortitude; building bridges of communion and hope that will shape a more just, peaceful and resilient Church and society for generations to come.
We congratulate AMECEA for convening the 21st Plenary Assembly. By placing young people at the centre of its conversations, the Assembly is not only responding to the realities of today but also laying a firm foundation for the Church and society of tomorrow. It is through such shared moments of dialogue, discernment and collaboration that we nurture lasting hope and continue to shape the future.
United we Stand as a Sign of God’s Presence
“Young people are not waiting for tomorrow to make a difference. Our responsibility is to walk with them today, equipping them with the values, opportunities and hope they need to shape a better future. The AMECEA plenary is in line with our mission: To foster mutual support and promote holistic formation of women religious for authentic witness through sustainable programs in collaboration with stakeholders. AMECEA is one of our stakeholders”
— AOSK Executive Secretary Sr. Pasilisa Namikoye, LSOSF, PhD
ABOUT AOSK:
The Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK) is the umbrella organization of Catholic Women Religious Congregations in Kenya. Founded in 1962, AOSK promotes collaboration among women religious in advancing the mission of the Catholic Church through evangelization, leadership, advocacy and integral human development. Currently, AOSK consists of 190 member congregations.
