The Sarah Arebu Tahir Foundation

The Sarah Arebu Tahir Foundation

Every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive.

In rural Ethiopia, distance and poverty keep too many children out of the classroom. Every dollar you give goes directly toward building schools and putting them back on a path to a future.

Get Involved

Every child

deserves

the chance to learn and thrive!

In rural Ethiopia, distance and poverty keep too many children out of the classroom. Every dollar you give goes directly toward building schools and putting them back on a path to a future.

Get Involved

"No child should have to learn like this."





"This is the reality we're working hard to change with your support"












"Every child deserves better than this."





"This is what we're fighting to fix, with your support."









Rubble to classrooms


Watch how we're turning rubble into real classrooms, and see the difference your support makes for children in rural Ethiopia.



Makeshift Spaces


This is what passes for a classroom in many rural communities, built from whatever materials are on hand.




Makeshift spaces


This is what passes for a classroom in many rural communities, built from  whatever materials are on hand.


Access to education


For too many girls,

chores like this come before class, if they make it to class at all.




Access to education


For too many girls, chores like this come before class, if they make it to class at all.



No Desks. No Room to Learn.


This is a full classroom in rural

Ethiopia, overcrowded, under-resourced,

and still without the basics.



No Desks. No Room to Learn.


This is a full classroom in rural

Ethiopia, overcrowded, under-resourced, and still without the basics.



Adequate Learning spaces


This is what becomes possible when a community has the resources to build right. No more dirt floors or makeshift shelters, just a space where children can focus on learning.


Adequate Learning spaces


This is what becomes possible when a community has the resources to build right. No more dirt floors or makeshift shelters, just a space where children can focus on learning.



Real classrooms

Every completed classroom is a shared achievement, made possible by donors, local leaders, and the community it will serve for generations.




Real classrooms


Every completed classroom is a shared achievement, made possible by donors, local leaders, and the community it will serve for generations.


Built for Growth


A space this size means no child is turned away for lack of room. It's proof that with the right support, scale and quality can go hand in hand




Clean Water & sanitation


Access to clean water is part of building a school that truly works, made possible by generous partners like the Rotary Club of Roseville, CA.



Clean Water &

sanitation


Access to clean water is part of building a school that truly works, made possible by generous partners like the Rotary Club of Roseville, CA.

"TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING CHANGE"

IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT

Building Schools

Mamuu Secondary completed, Jema Nigus Primary underway

Building Communties

Hundreds of local jobs created, from builders to trained teachers

Clean Water & Sanitation

Toilets, sinks, and water tanks built into every school, protecting health and dignity

Young Girls' Health

Toiletries and hygiene supplies helping girls stay in school, not miss class

"TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING CHANGE"

IMPACT OF YOUR SUPPORT

Building Schools

Mamuu Secondary completed, Jema Nigus Primary underway

Building Communties

Hundreds of local jobs created, from builders to trained teachers

Clean Water & Sanitation

Toilets, sinks, and water tanks built into every school, protecting health and dignity

Young Girls' Health

Toiletries and hygiene supplies helping girls stay in school, not miss class

The Heart Behind Our Mission

When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Sarah would light up: 'A teacher!' The Sarah Arebu Tahir Foundation carries her dream forward, helping children in rural Ethiopia who walk miles to school without shoes, study under trees, and lack clean water, get the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

About Sarah

The Heart Behind Our Mission

When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Sarah would light up:

 'A teacher!'

The Sarah Arebu Tahir Foundation carries her dream forward, helping children in rural Ethiopia who walk miles to school without shoes, study under trees, and lack clean water, get the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

About Sarah

Make a Direct Impact, today

Your donation helps us build schools, provide clean water, school supplies, and essential infrastructure for health, nutrition, and sanitation in rural Ethiopia. Every dollar you give is an investment in a child’s future — creating access to safe, quality education for those who need it most.

Person giving money into a hand.

Became a sponsor

Become a sponsor. As a sponsor, you directly support a child’s journey through education by helping cover school materials, meals, uniforms, and more. Your consistent support not only transforms one life — it strengthens families and entire communities for generations.

Person with a heart symbol on the chest, raising their hand with a glowing finger.

Share Your Heart.

Join our movement - help spread the vision of the Sarah Arebu Tahir Foundation. By sharing our mission, organizing local awareness efforts, and inspiring others to give or get involved, you can help bring education and opportunity to children in need.


your support + our vision = endless possibilities

Our mission is to give children in rural Ethiopia the same chance to learn, grow, and dream as children everywhere. The Sarah Arebu Tahir Foundation was built on this commitment — and with your support, we can turn compassion into action and hope into lasting change.


Smiling child with dark curly hair, wearing a patterned shirt, and a bright smile.

Nurturing Safe & Supportive Learning Spaces

Creating environments where every child feels secure, valued, and empowered to learn and grow. 

School building icon with graduation cap.

Building Better School Facilities

Transforming learning spaces into inspiring centers of opportunity, hope, and success.

Expanding Access to Education

Opening doors for more children to enroll, dream, and shape their own futures through education.

Advancing Clean Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation

Access to clean water, hygiene, and safe sanitation is essential for a child’s ability to learn and thrive. Without it, children face illness, missed school days, and lost opportunities. By providing clean water, hygiene facilities, and healthy environments, we protect their health, dignity, and future — ensuring every child has a real chance to dream, grow, and succeed.

Girl smiles at the camera in a classroom, other students at desks in background.
Icon of a person wearing a graduation cap, with a star inside a circle.

Achievement



Driving student achievement through inspiration, opportunity, and dedicated support.

Dropout Rates



Reduce dropout rates. Keep students in school by addressing their needs and investing in their success.

Education



Enhancing instruction with better resources, training, and innovative learning methods for every student.

Stack of books with glasses on top and a sparkling star.

Tools & Resources



Providing equitable access to learning tools and materials so every child has a fair chance to succeed.

A heart being handed from one open hand to another.

“You have the power to change a life — not someday, but today.”

When we show up for others, we plant seeds of transformation. Be part of the story.


Real Impact. Real People. Real Transparency.

At the Sarah Arebu Tahir Foundation, we believe in doing things differently; with heart, integrity, and full accountability. Our leadership team is made up of passionate Ethiopian professionals based in the U.S. who are deeply committed to uplifting children through education.


We are a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and every dollar you give goes directly to building schools, supporting educators, and transforming lives in underserved communities. We’ve already proven the model works — even on a small scale — and now we’re ready to grow that impact with your help.


We welcome you to get to know the dedicated people behind this mission. Your trust, your time, and your support will never be taken for granted.


FEATURED EVENTS

Person wearing a white

Online Volunteer Conference

Oct 15, 2026 • 6 P.M. (Pacific Standard Time)

Register

Community Ambassador

Oct 15, 2026 • 6 P.M. (Pacific Standard Time)

Register
Group of people with hands together in a circle, standing around a table in an office.

Corporate Sponsorship

Oct 15, 2026 • 6 P.M. (Pacific Standard Time)

Register