African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC)
ASEC (pronounced AYE-sek) provides education opportunities to Catholic sisters in Africa. Watch the video to learn more about what we do.
ASEC educates Catholic sisters in Africa, strengthening their capacity to address local and global challenges.
What We Do
Catholic sisters dedicate their lives to service. Their vital work improves the social, spiritual, healthcare, educational, environmental, and economic conditions of society. Many sisters in Africa, although in professional positions, lack the higher education credentials, training, and/or resources they need to support the communities they live and work in. ASEC fills this gap by delivering programs that enable sisters to achieve the fullest impact of their ministries and ensure the sustainability of their religious institutes.
Why educate a Catholic sister?
Educating a sister results in rippling, far-reaching outcomes that are positively and dramatically impacting sustainable development in Africa. Educated and empowered sisters are key players in overcoming many of Africa’s biggest development challenges. Graduates of ASEC’s award-winning programs have a proven capacity to:
- Improve healthcare and education systems, build infrastructure, fight human trafficking, and initiate income generating projects.
- Give voice and care to the marginalized and vulnerable.
- Take up leadership positions.
- Improve the functioning of their religious institutes and ministries.
- Mobilize resources to meet urgent human development needs.
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.
Our Programs
Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI)
SLDI provides sisters with technology, administration, and finance training through three one-month workshops over three years. Through SLDI, sisters gain the practical skills and confidence to build strong networks and take up leadership roles in their congregations and communities. Since 2007.
Higher Education for Sisters in Africa (HESA)
HESA provides opportunities for sisters to access higher education (diploma, bachelors, and master’s degrees). HESA is delivered through partnerships with higher education institutions in Africa and online in the U.S. Since 2013.
The Scholarship Program
The Scholarship Program bridges the gap to higher education for sisters by providing scholarships to complete secondary school or higher education credentials relevant to their ministries. Many of our scholarship recipients then continue their education through the HESA program. Since 2012.
Service Learning
Students and sisters from ASEC founding institutions participate in annual service trips to Africa. Accompanied by mentors, U.S. participants travel to Africa for three weeks and are immersed in a wide range of volunteer opportunities, serving side-by-side with African sisters. Since 2008.
Research Initiative
The Research Initiative aims to promote research on Catholic sisters in Africa, increase African women religious’ research skills, provide opportunities for them to engage in research projects and develop ASEC as a central repository of data related to women religious in Africa.
Since 2010.
Alumni Programming
Alumni programming supports individuals who have graduated from ASEC’s program(s) by offering ongoing professional development, networking, and leadership opportunities.
The alumni network keeps graduates connected and sharing resources to strengthen their impact across Africa.
Our Impact
Our statistics from educating Catholic sisters in sub-Saharan Africa show the incredible impact that they are making on marginalized communities. YOUR support has allowed ASEC to serve over 10,000 sisters and stakeholders with INCREDIBLE results such as…
Served over 9.5M+
ASEC alumni have served over 9.5M+ people in poor, rural communities across Africa— where help is needed most.
Sustainability and Improvement Projects
Alumnae and their mentees support community sustainability and improvement projects across the globe.
Mentored 70,100+ people
Educated sisters have mentored 70,100+ people, sharing the skills they’ve learned with other sisters and community members.
Created 6,400+ jobs
Alumni projects initiated by sisters have created 6,400+ jobs in underserved rural African communities.
How Educated Sisters Are Making An Impact
ASEC’s 2026 Night of Storytelling: Building Bridges – Strengthening Communities
African Sisters Education Collaborative invites all to attend the 4th annual Night of Storytelling: Building Read More
Graduation to Action – HESA Supported Sisters Driving Lasting Change
Across Africa, sisters reached a major milestone as they completed their studies through ASEC’s Higher Education for Sisters in Africa program. Read More
Compassionate Leadership at Zambia Association of Sisterhoods
Sr. Bertha Chisanga leverages ASEC training and scholarships to expand educational opportunities for vulnerable girls in Zambia, fostering hope and Read More