Catholic sisters are called to embrace a loving reverence towards God and, by their charity, build bridges that serve the common good of humanity. As one of its core values, ASEC respects the special value, unique talents and gifts of each person created and sustained by God. ASEC accomplishes this goal through its core value of reverence that sets up higher value and inclines an individual to show honor and deep respect to other persons. Reverence integrates our beings, and in reverence, humility and charity are united into one virtue.
The virtue of charitable giving enables ASEC to be a blessing and a bridge for the women religious in Africa who receive training and education and, in turn, become shining Rays of Hope to the people they serve in their societies. Charity is one of the supreme virtues in which God’s mercy is passed on from one individual or group to another. Catholic sisters extend this charity through the services they offer across multiple cultures and communities, to the global north and south, operating with an appreciation for the uniqueness of every individual person.
In Africa, however, a majority of the sisters lack the skills they need to provide quality services most needed in their societies. By providing access to training and education through ASEC, sisters in Africa are able to impact and make a difference in the lives of millions of people through: education, healthcare, fighting hunger and access to clean water. Once empowered, the sisters in Africa educate, offer social services, mentor others, create jobs and strengthen communities. During these challenging times of COVID-19, Catholic sisters in Africa continue to serve on the front lines, providing care, food and support especially to the sick and the most vulnerable in their societies.
ASEC relies on charitable donations, annual appeals, grant funding, mission appeals and other sources of income to support the training and education of Catholic sisters in Africa.
ASEC relies on charitable donations, annual appeals, grant funding, mission appeals and other sources of income to support the training and education of Catholic sisters in Africa. ASEC’s Development Office builds on the existing successes to support ASEC’s mission while developing innovative initiatives for fundraising and creative ways to engage and maintain relationships with donors.
Although the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic continue to significantly impact our development efforts, there have been positive outcomes in the year 2020-21:
- ASEC received several grants to support Catholic sisters in the Scholarship Program that offers two year certificate course in fields related to the sisters’ ministries.
- New relationships were formed as ASEC welcomed three women religious communities who joined ASEC as Associate Members.
- ASEC received a Want for the Age (WOTA) grant to support the sisters’ ministries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ASEC was invited to participate in the Missionary Cooperative Plan in four Archdiocese/Dioceses and appeal for support in several parishes.
- ASEC participated in two virtual conferences to market ASEC and get the word out; the Franciscan Federation conference held in May-June and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) virtue 2021 Assembly held in August 2021.
In Cameroon, Catholic sister and ASEC alumna Sr. Yvette Sam, SUSC, helps students fetch water.
Why Catholic Sisters in Africa?
At ASEC, we believe that education is the best tool for human development and that when we provide education to a religious sister we are transforming the lives of millions of people in rural villages and those living in the margins in their societies.
Challenges
The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have been significant and global and have significantly affected ASEC’s fundraising efforts. By providing access to education, sisters in Africa are able to impact and make a difference in the lives of millions of people through: education, healthcare, fighting hunger and access to clean water and many more social needs in their societies.
Will you join our efforts and be a Ray of Hope?
I invite you to join us and be part of our mission. Mindful of the difficult financial shortfalls due to COVID-19, we request you kindly to consider giving a gift to ASEC to help us continue our mission that serves those who live in the margins and are most vulnerable through the services offered by sisters in Africa.
Your contribution will make a huge difference and will help us impact the lives of so many people that the sisters in Africa serve. Thank you very much for your support. Be assured of our prayers for you and all your loved ones. Many Blessings.
You can make an online donation through our secure system by visiting asec-sldi.org/donate.
Or, mail checks made payable to African Sisters Education Collaborative to 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
