MALAWI: AWRIM Hosts ACWECA for Formators and Superiors’ Workshop
With the intention of bringing home the theme of ACWECA 18th Plenary Assembly and in the Spirit of Synodality, the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) has conducted a one-week long workshop for formators and superiors of the Association of Women in Religious Institutes of Malawi (AWRIM).
Introducing the workshop to the participants at the AWRIM Secretariat in Lilongwe from 13th to 17th March, Sr. Christina Mwangi, ACWECA Leadership for Mission Coordinator reminded the participants of the 18th ACWECA Plenary Theme (Re-awakening the Prophetic Role; A call for Re-formation towards Holistic Transformation in ACWECA Region today).
The Secretary General of ACWECA Sr. Bridgita Samba said that this workshop was very important because ACWECA’s vision is to have consecrated women who are empowered for deeper evangelization in the region and building capacity of institutions, individuals and at the National Association level is very important. The workshop targeted formators and superiors because they are leaders and leaders are the ones who carry the vision of ACWECA pass it on to the individual sisters in different congregations.
Throughout the workshop, ACWECA reminded leaders and formators of the inviolable dignity of a consecrated woman and the call to re-awaken their prophetic role and work towards reformation and wholistic transformation. 
Sr. Christina who was happy about the selected topics emphasized the key role that formators have of preparing the sisters who are agents of evangelization. The sisters reflected and discerned together on the challenges affecting religious life and came up with some creative ways of addressing these challenges.
Asked what she thought was the most important element to consider when it comes to the dignity of a consecrated woman, Sr. Eneles Chimbali, Senior Program Officer of All-Africa Conference: Sister to Sister (AACSS) who was one of the facilitators said that, before even looking at consecrated life, one should consider that everyone was created in the image of God. She emphasized that “we as Religious carry the dignity of God’s image in us we also have the vows and the religious values to help us preserve that dignity”.
Among the topics discussed in the course of the workshop were social classification and homelessness. The sisters were reminded that social statuses, positions and different backgrounds should not divide them, they should instead help them cultivate homeness, unity and healthy human relationships which add value to their life as consecrated women dedicated to the Lord and the service of God’s people.
