African Orthodox Academics
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Education and faith in Africa

Removing the cost of school changes a family, a parish and a generation.

AOA funds the education of Africans who could not otherwise afford it, and builds Orthodox theological scholarship in Africa.

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Two aims, one work

AOA funds the education of Africans who could not otherwise afford it, and builds Orthodox theological scholarship in Africa.

AOA scholarship recipients of all ages standing with Fr Thiani, each holding their award letter.

Scholarships

Funding general education at primary, secondary, high school, college and university level for pupils and students who would otherwise be unable to access it.

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Fr Thiani in white vestments with altar servers holding candles and processional crosses.

Theological education

4 programmes and 74 courses across 9 departments, creating space to learn and theologise about this ancient faith in its African context.

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From the Fathers

This is not a new conviction.

  • “I take it as admitted by men of sense, that the first of our advantages is education.”
    St Gregory the TheologianOration 43, Funeral Oration on St Basil
  • “The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot.”
    St Basil the GreatHomily, I Will Tear Down My Barns
  • “The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.”
    St John ChrysostomHomily on Lazarus 2, 5
  • “What greater work is there than training the mind and forming the habits of the young?”
    St John ChrysostomOn Vainglory and the Right Way for Parents to Bring Up Their Children

Vision

To empower and positively transform Africans through education and faith.

The African Orthodox Academics (AOA) is a registered non-profit, community-based organisation with two aims: to empower and equip disadvantaged Africans by funding their general education at the Primary, Secondary, High School, College, and University levels, and to advance Orthodox theological education and research in Africa through scholarships and research.

Why this work exists →

Intended impact

What AOA is determined to do

Scholarships

Educate by offering scholarships to deserving African families, especially those of the Orthodox faith.

Research

Initiate research and publications on Orthodox traditions in Africa.

Education

Offer transformational courses, seminars, and workshops in Orthodox theology and social topics that will transform the Orthodox communities and their surroundings.

Mentorship

Holistically mentor the next generation of Orthodox faithful academically, socially, morally, economically, and spiritually.

Fundraising

Raise funds for sustainable projects and create an endowment fund that will keep the AOA running for generations.

Fr Dr Evangelos Thiani seated, wearing a cassock and pectoral cross.

From the founding director

“Only education and God can get Africa's poor, especially the minority Orthodox faithful, out of such painful spaces.”

Fr Dr Evangelos Thiani — Founding Director

Read his story →

You can help ensure that underprivileged African and Orthodox students have access to quality education and become future leaders by donating today.

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