Mombasa, Kenya – June 5, 2026 – Catholic sisters from nine African countries participated in a training workshop on June 3-4, 2026, organized as part of the “Wisdom Calls Africa” project. Initiated by SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, in partnership with the Hilton Foundation, this project aims to enhance the sisters’ skills in communication, storytelling, and media engagement.
The “Wisdom Calls Africa” workshop strengthened the storytelling skills of eleven Sisters from nine countries: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, DR Congo, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia.
Opening the workshop, Dr. Peter Rachada Monthienvichienchai, Secretary-General of SIGNIS, from Thailand, emphasized the importance of making the often-overlooked contributions of sisters visible in society.
“We hear sisters doing a lot of work, and the stories are not out there in the secular media,” he said. “I keep meeting extraordinary sisters. Your days may be ordinary to you, but your ordinary days are extraordinary for me.”
Authentic Stories from Sisters
Dr. Monthienvichienchai also stressed the importance of solutions journalism and authentic storytelling, reminding participants that telling their own story is also a form of evangelization.
In her welcome address, Rev. Sister Adelaide Ndilu, local Coordinator of Wisdom Calls Africa for English-speaking countries, encouraged participants to reclaim their narratives.
“For a long time, our stories were told about us,” she said. “People decided what our lives meant. They missed the faith, the joy, and the struggle that only you know from the inside.”
“My heart is filled with joy and gratitude for the beautiful experience lived and shared during this workshop, which has profoundly edified me,” said Sr Scholastique de la Joie Djarba, from Togo.
For Sr Anastácia Sebastião Simbe, from Mozambique, and many other participants, this workshop was “a fantastic experience that will help us to share our stories.”
For Social Transformation
The training program covered key topics, including solutions journalism, media literacy in the digital age, social media influence, misinformation, media ethics, artificial intelligence, storytelling for social impact, public speaking, media relations, and interview techniques.
The sessions were led by communication and media experts, including Dr. Peter Monthienvichienchai, Christine Nguku, Charles Ayetan, George Sunguh, and Mike Migwi.
During a visit to the participants on June 3, Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde, Archbishop of Mombasa, accompanied by his coadjutor Archbishop Dominic Kimengich, encouraged sisters to use media as instruments for evangelization and social transformation.
“Without communication, we would not know what is happening in the world. The Church, a huge body like the Church, without communication would be like a huge elephant without a voice,” said the Archbishop of Mombasa.
Stories that Inspire Hope
Charles Ayetan, Coordinator of Wisdom Calls Africa for Francophone countries, invited participants to create narratives that inspire hope, respect human dignity, and drive positive change.
The two-day workshop began with an Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev. Father Fabian Mwamingu, diocesan priest of Mombasa.
Through the “Wisdom Calls Africa” project, SIGNIS aims to create a network of sisters who can share their realities, highlight positive initiatives on the ground, and contribute to a better understanding of the role of consecrated women in the development of African communities.
About SIGNIS
SIGNIS is the World Catholic Association for Communication. Present in over 100 countries, it supports media professionals and Catholic communicators in promoting human dignity, social justice, peace, and dialogue through media.