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The history
How did Sibusiso come into being?
Sibusiso was founded in 2000 by Atty and Henk Hammer-Roos, both with years of experience in development work in Africa. Together with the local population, they began their mission from a simple guesthouse. The decision to build the center at the foot of Mount Meru, near the city of Arusha, was quickly made. This facilitated cooperation with the hospital and other medical facilities in the area. Furthermore, the availability of skilled medical personnel is greater here. As a result, the center has grown into what it is today: a professional center with capacity for over 80 children per week and a wide reach in the region.
Dedicated staff
Henk and Atty, the founders of Sibusiso, worked for many years for Doctors Without Borders in Africa before establishing the center in Arusha in the spring of 2000. “The staff were not yet trained at that time; everyone was welcome to contribute—whether you worked on the grounds or in the garden, or were a coffee picker. What mattered most to us was that you had your heart in the right place and were willing to work for the well-being of children with disabilities. From that point on, we began funding staff training so that we could set to work with a trained team. Many have remained on our team for years,” said Atty Hammer. “And the team, now (university-)educated, still has its heart in the right place, carrying out the work for the children expertly and with love.”
The origin of a unique center
In the very first years, Atty visited the children at home. Children who often had to stay in the hut or house due to a disability and therefore developed poorly. Atty went out with Emmy, a nurse from a nearby rehabilitation center. People became familiar and good contacts were established. In 2002, the first children came to the center for therapy. By then, the staff had been trained. Soon, parents started coming to Sibusiso on their own, convinced of the expertise of the staff and the positive impact of the program. Younger children were enrolled, often the children had multiple disabilities and it became difficult for the family. Sibusiso was then also given the opportunity to refer children to local hospitals, and quickly expanded with a brand new therapy room.
