Unleashing Potential · Igniting Self-Reliance
Building self-reliance through education and mentorship.
SREF is a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit working in Ghana, Tanzania, and the United States. We pair mentoring, skills training, and access to online education — starting with a laptop — to move young adults from surviving to thriving.
U.S.-registered 501(c)(3), with active registrations in Ghana (CG077111023) and Tanzania (00NGO/R/7078).
Mentoring, skills training, and laptop access delivered in person across Ghana and Tanzania.
80% of every dollar donated funds direct programs, not overhead.
Welcome to SREF
Every SREF program follows the same idea: pair a person with a mentor, a documented plan, and the tools they need — then stay engaged until the goal is reached.
Our Programs
Three pillars, one path to self-reliance
Every pillar follows a beneficiary from problem to outcome — with a mentor at every step. We measure success by goals set and futures changed, not sessions held.
Mentoring
Discover, document a plan, then execute it — with a dedicated mentor staying engaged until the goal is reached.
- 011:1 discovery interviews to name a specific goal
- 02A written, actionable plan and an assigned mentor
- 03Milestone check-ins until the goal is reached
Entrepreneurship & Skills
Assess and place, train hands-on, then launch — paired with a trade expert and business best-practices.
- 01Assess skill and aptitude; place into a phase
- 02Trade training plus pricing, budgeting, marketing
- 03Launch a business or secure paid work
Online Education
Equip with a device, enroll in BYU Pathway Worldwide with tuition support, and sustain the student to completion.
- 01Distribute a laptop and set up digital literacy
- 02Enroll with tuition support and academic coaching
- 03Track progress, then connect graduates to work
The Laptop Program
A laptop alone doesn't graduate a student.
We pair every device with digital-literacy support, tuition assistance, and one-on-one mentorship, so the gift becomes a completed education and a career.
Explore the Laptop Program-
01
Equip
Assess eligibility and distribute a laptop, then set up internet access and digital-literacy support so the device is usable from day one.
$300 funds one laptop
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02
Enroll and support
Enroll the student in BYU Pathway Worldwide with tuition payment support and academic coaching alongside their assigned mentor.
Includes a documented plan
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03
Sustain to completion
Track progress term over term with accountability check-ins, then connect graduates to job placement in Ghana.
Years 2 & 3: $270/yr
Where the money goes
Transparency is the program
Registered and reporting in three countries, with the majority of every gift reaching a beneficiary directly.
80% of every dollar donated funds direct programs, not overhead.
One device, plus the mentoring and tuition support that make it count.
Laptop, internet, school supplies, debit card setup and transportation.
Full registration details and reports are published for every country we operate in.
Read our reports Give nowGet Involved
Three ways to help today
Fund or ship a laptop, apply to the program as a student in Ghana or Tanzania, or support mentoring and tuition with a one-time or recurring gift.