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ABOUT ASECIn the face of desperate needs in Africa, Catholic women religious are emerging as a strong source of hope for the future.These women, who are deeply trusted by their societies, work to improve the course of life by serving where the needs are the greatest - in schools, healthcare facilities and human service centers across the continent. While their numbers, presence and impact on society are significant, many lack higher education or any other professional preparation. With additional education, the potential of these women to change the course of the continent could be tremendous.
As a result of a study conducted by the Neylan Commission several years ago with the Catholic colleges and universities founded by women religious and with the religious congregations who founded them, a new initiative began called the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC). This group meets regularly to consider ways to help educate the women religious of Africa so that they in turn can educate others. This is similar to the movement that took place in the United States in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries when women religious, through their ingenuity and determination, contributed to the transformation of society by educating themselves and then educating the daughters and sons of a largely immigrant population. The Goal
Why We Provide Assistance AbroadFor decades, Neylan colleges and universities and their founding congregations have received numerous requests for assistance with the education of African women religious. Many African sisters have obtained degrees with the support of both the college or university and the sponsoring congregation. The presence of these sisters on campus has been mutually enriching for participating colleges and congregations and the sisters who benefited from the opportunity. However, only a small portion of sisters in need of higher education have been able to come to the United States to study. Limited resources have prohibited greater response to the many appeals for aid received each year. Catholic colleges and universities in the United States are unable to keep pace with the educational needs of growing numbers of African sisters. ASEC realizes that new and creative ways must be developed to provide African sisters the needed education in their own countries and cultures. ASEC believes that technological advances provide various opportunities for working together toward this goal and are currently exploring options. |
ContactFor more information on the ASEC project, please contact: Sr. Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF, Ph.D. Marywood University |
The members of ASEC believe that education is the key to assisting African nations in their quest for economic development and self-sufficiency. The goal of ASEC is to contribute significantly to increased access to education in Africa by helping to educate women religious and enabling them to acquire necessary credentials for teaching, healthcare, spiritual or social service ministries in their countries.