The people behind the work.
A small, committed team turning belief into action for children and families in Arusha and Moshi.
Prisca Lema
Founder & Chief Executive
Raised as an orphan in Arusha, Prisca turned early hardship into purpose. She leads the Foundation’s strategy, partnerships and programmes, and represents Tanzania in FIDE’s Infinite Chess work.
Thea Elisabeth Haavet
Creative & Storytelling Partner
A filmmaker from Oslo and founder of Soulspace Film, Thea helps tell the stories of the girls and mothers at the heart of our mission.
Goodluck Dickson
Chess Coach
Goodluck supports our school chess clubs across Arusha — setting up sessions, keeping track of who plays, and helping run the Arusha Mini Games. He is learning the work from the board up.
Hillary John
Project Officer
Based in Arusha, Hillary is the link between our plans and the classroom. He coordinates school partnerships, tracks participation across our chess and life-skills programmes, and keeps the day-to-day work moving.
Gladness Lema
Chess Coach
Gladness teaches chess in Arusha’s public schools, running the ten-lesson beginner course that starts every new club. She is especially committed to getting more girls to the board.
Hamisi Gaga
Chess Coach
Hamisi coaches in Moshi, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, where he is building the Foundation’s chess clubs from the ground up. He is how the programme reaches children beyond Arusha.
Want to join the work?
We’re always glad to hear from volunteers, partners and supporters.