African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC)
ASEC (pronounced AYE-sek) provides education opportunities to Catholic nuns in Africa. Watch the video to learn more about what we do.
We Educate African Sisters, Improving Their Ability To Serve Their Communities.
While Africa is a continent of vast potential, it faces serious obstacles of poverty, chronic hunger, disease, ecological degradation and violence. Often referred to as nuns, Catholic sisters are a strong force in addressing Africa's challenges head-on and creating hope for a bright future.
Educated sisters are able to impact more people and make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals in Africa.
Why Educate a Catholic Sister?
Catholic nuns in Africa are using their education to solve some of the biggest development challenges our world is facing today. When a sister is educated, it positively impacts all of the people she serves. Educated sisters use their education to:
- Improve healthcare, food security and access to clean water.
- Give voices to people who are wrongly persecuted and silenced.
- Care for the young, the old and the forgotten.
- Mentor others, create jobs and support communities, especially in times of need.
- Support and strengthen African congregations from within.
The impact they are making in communities across Africa is both admirable and heroic. At ASEC, we've learned that if you give a sister the tools to succeed, she's going to change the world.
Brighten your inbox with stories of lives impacted by education.
Our Programs
Service Learning
International service trip opportunities for faculty, students and sisters in the US.
Our Impact
Our statistics from educating Catholic nuns in 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa show the incredible impact1 that they are making on marginalized communities. Because of people like YOU, ASEC has served over 5,300 sisters & stakeholders with INCREDIBLE results such as...
ASEC alumnae have served over 2.2M+ people in poor, rural communities across Africa— where help is needed most.
Alumnae and their mentees have raised $19.5M+ in funding for community sustainability and improvement projects.
Educated sisters have mentored 35,000+ people, sharing the skills they've learned with other sisters and community members.
Alumnae projects initiated by sisters have created 3,800+ jobs in under-served rural African communities.
How Educated Sisters Are Making An Impact
How can we measure the impact of education?
We measure the impact of education through qualitative data by interviewing ASEC sisters, both those current students and alumnae. Through learning their stories, we can connect the dots between education and transformation, both within the sisters and their communities.
In Her Words: Proud to be a Fruit of Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA)
Sr. Maria N. Isaya, a religious woman of the Institute of the Little Sisters of St. Francis in Tanzania, started her journey with ASEC in 2016 through the Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA). Since then she has brought transformation to her community by using her skills to provide education to those in poverty, improving their overall quality of life.
Recent News
HESA Partners Conference takes place in Nairobi
3 months ago: The 2023 HESA Partners Conference took place in Nairobi, Kenya from June 13-17th.
9th Visiting Scholar Selected for CARA Research Fellowship
3 months ago: Sr. Mini Joseph, JMJ, India, is the 9th scholar selected for six month research fellowship with The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) Georgetown ...