About - IBES Tanzania

meet our directors

Marion Hasselaar

Welcome to our website! I’m Marion Hasselaar, originally from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, currently residing in Maji ya Chai, Tanzania since 2010. Professionally, I am a Social Pedagogue with a Business degree and the founder of IBES

My motivation to start IBES
Corporal punishment is a deeply rooted issue in many Tanzanian schools, harming children’s self-esteem and often driving them away from education. At IBES, we are committed to proving that children can be taught, guided, and disciplined through positive, child-friendly methods.

Our mission goes beyond teaching; we are building a movement. Through our daycare teacher training program, we empower vulnerable young women with the skills to become pedagogical educators, creating jobs and fostering independence. In our daycares, coaching teachers mentor trainees, demonstrating the power of respect and compassion in childcare.

Play is central to a child’s growth, which is why every IBES daycare has a dedicated playground. Here, children learn, explore, and develop in an environment that values their right to play—a vital part of their education and happiness.

Through IBES, we aim to spread the knowledge of child-friendly teaching across Tanzania, creating a future where every child feels valued, nurtured, and inspired to succeed.

Richard de Haan

I am the Director of IBES.

Gabriel Ng'wanza

I’ve worked at IBES for nearly six years. I began as the Academic Coordinator.
During my time, I’ve improved in organizing academic events, checking how well students do in school, helping students, and hiring staff.

Now, as the Director of Schools and Education, I’ll focus even more on helping staff get better at their jobs.

Frank Msaki

Director of Finance, Restaurant & Security Departments
I joined IBES in 2019 as an accountant and, through commitment, accountability and continuous learning, progressed to my current role as Director of Finance, Restaurant and Security Departments.

My personal journey strongly shapes the way I see children and education. Growing up, I experienced corporal punishment and difficult circumstances that affected my confidence and sense of security. After spending part of my childhood on the streets, I found support at a children’s centre, where I was able to continue my education. That opportunity changed the direction of my life and showed me how powerful the right support can be.

Today, I am proud to be part of IBES and its commitment to creating safe, respectful and child-friendly learning environments. Seeing children—including my own son—enjoy school, grow in confidence and learn without fear gives this mission a very personal meaning to me.

our Mission

To empower vulnerable young people, especially women, by providing training and job opportunities in child-friendly education. We aim to create nurturing environments where children can learn, play, and grow without fear, while transforming the lives of hundreds of young people by equipping them with skills for a sustainable future.

our vision

To build a Tanzania where every child grows up in a safe, supportive environment that values their right to play, learn, and thrive. A future where young people, who once had no chance in life, find meaningful employment, independence, and dignity through their contributions to education and childcare.