Henk and Atty Hammer-Roos from the Netherlands were the initiators of the Sibusiso Foundation. Henk Hammer is a former general practitioner and an experienced tropical doctor. Atty Hammer-Roos is a nurse, midwife and teacher. They have both worked in many war-torn areas and in refugee camps, caring for the most vulnerable groups of society: women, children, the elderly, and disabled people.

It was their dream to start their own project for one of these groups in a stable developing country. They chose Tanzania, East-Africa. To identify the most suitable target group a needs assessment was carried out. After talking to many people including the representatives of different institutes, and thoroughly researching the local needs and situation, they decided to concentrate on helping the mentally disabled children of Tanzania.