Chess for Change, Lagos
By participating in our “Chess for Change” project, children can improve their critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills. The children receive intensive chess training, valuable life skills education, mentoring and academic support. It also encourages creativity and lays a solid foundation for academic success and personal development.
Project Background
The population of the Nigerian metropolis of Lagos is growing rapidly. In 2017, the government estimated the population at around 21 million, as more and more Nigerians are moving to the metropolis in the hope of a better life. Nigeria’s population is expected to double by 2050, with more than half living in cities. Around 60% of them will be under the age of 25.
There are already not enough places in schools today. Many of the children living in the slums have no access to education.
Nigerian chess player Tunde Onakoya founded the project in 2018 to help these children.
Target Group
Children from various slums in Lagos
Project goal
Our aim is to empower, support and educate children from slums in Lagos, Nigeria, through the game of chess. The Chess Academy was founded for this purpose. The main goal of the Chess Academy is to empower children to reach their full potential by connecting the principles of chess with the challenges of their daily lives. Through intensive chess training, life skills education, mentoring and academic support, children learn critical thinking and develop their problem-solving skills. The program also focuses on fostering abstract thinking, creativity and innovation by providing a safe space for learning, play and personal growth.
In addition to chess-related activities, the project also promotes academic and social development.
By using chess as a tool for socio-economic change, it has already succeeded in securing lifelong scholarships for over 200 children from needy households. Now the next step is to find a permanent location for the project to enable even more children to participate.
The first step is to rent a building and provide it with the necessary equipment.
In the long term, however, the plan is to construct a permanent building that will house classrooms, a library, a computer room and a multi-purpose hall.
In addition, volunteers and teachers will be trained and local and international tournaments will be organized.
WHAT YOUR SUPPORT ACHIEVES
Your donation will help us to expand the project and build and equip our own center. This will enable even more children to take part in the project.
