Strengthening Capacity for Sustainable Ministry
This article highlights the Centre for Research in Religious Life and Apostolate (CERRA-Africa)’s initiative to empower Catholic women’s religious congregations in Kenya and Zambia. Funded by the Conrad Hilton Foundation, CERRA-Africa conducted a needs assessment to understand the congregations’ capacity for management and governance.
Key Findings:
- 114 congregations needed assistance in areas like organizational structure, governance, resource management, and data management.
- Many congregations were hesitant to share challenges due to unfamiliarity with applied research.
- Critical needs included legal and policy issues, strategic planning, financial management, and data protection.
Taking Action:
- CERRA-Africa conducted workshops facilitated by experts from collaborating institutions.
- A purposive sample of 20 congregations received sub-grants to address specific gaps.
- Each congregation embarked on a unique journey, guided by a contact person and steering team, to develop relevant documentation and improve practices.
Outcomes:
- Congregations developed finance manuals, formation policies, strategic plans, and risk management frameworks.
- The initiative empowered congregations to make informed decisions and ensure the sustainability of their ministries.
Looking Forward:
- CERRA-Africa will monitor the impact of the intervention on management and governance in the 20 sampled congregations over the next two years.
- This initiative serves as an inspiration for other congregations seeking to enhance their ministries.
Gratitude:
CERRA-Africa expresses sincere gratitude to the Conrad Hilton Foundation for their support. The congregations are committed to contributing to the success of this initiative and enhancing their service to the Church and society
