{"id":36000,"date":"2025-06-29T14:13:15","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T14:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/?p=36000"},"modified":"2025-06-29T14:20:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T14:20:19","slug":"rising-like-queens-a-powerful-day-for-girls-in-kakuma-refugee-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/rising-like-queens-a-powerful-day-for-girls-in-kakuma-refugee-camp\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising like queens: A powerful day for girls in Kakuma Refugee Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"36000\" class=\"elementor elementor-36000\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bca4ade e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bca4ade\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7863b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b7863b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kakuma-PAGE-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-36004\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kakuma-PAGE-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kakuma-PAGE-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kakuma-PAGE-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35eba6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"35eba6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>On Saturday, June 28t, something truly extraordinary happened in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Over 330 girls gathered for a special on-site chess event!<\/p><p>It was a special day \u2013 featuring motivational talks and friendly chess matches \u2013 transforming what is usually a virtual connection into a vibrant, in-person celebration of empowerment through chess.<\/p><p>The event was part of the Girls Club \u2013 an initiative of the <a href=\"https:\/\/wom.fide.com\/\">FIDE Commission for Women\u2019s Chess<\/a> that offers regular support, training, and empowerment opportunities to girls living in Kakuma Refugee Camp. The Girls Club is part of the broader Chess for Protection project, through which FIDE brings chess to displaced communities.<\/p><p>Usually, the Club holds weekly on-line sessions with international coaches WGM Anastasia Karlovich and IM Salome Melia, alongside a local chess tutor. These sessions provide not only chess instruction, but also a much-needed sense of structure, confidence, and global connection.<\/p><p><strong>A special day in a unique place<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f47499 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4f47499\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Special-Day.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-36006\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Special-Day.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Special-Day-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Special-Day-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f218111 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f218111\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Organizing an event in a refugee camp is no simple task. Access, logistics, permissions, communication \u2013 each step requires careful planning and strong local partnerships. Yet the impact of showing up in person cannot be overstated. It sends a clear message: We see you. We care. We are ready to do it for you.<\/p><p>And the girls responded. Over 330 girls from different schools in the camp took part in Saturday\u2019s celebration \u2013 an incredible turnout that deeply moved everyone involved.<\/p><p><strong>Inspiration <\/strong><strong>a<\/strong><strong>cross the <\/strong><strong>b<\/strong><strong>oard<\/strong><\/p><p>The day\u2019s highlight was a motivational session by Phylis Ngigi, Director of The Gift of Chess, who traveled to Kakuma to deliver her inspiring talk: \u201cRising Like Queens: Life Lessons Through Chess.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1ed94d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d1ed94d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ngigi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-36005\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ngigi.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ngigi-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ngigi-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48c776d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"48c776d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Speaking from personal experience, Phylis used each chess piece as a metaphor for life, weaving powerful lessons into a message of resilience and hope:<\/p><ul><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The Pawn \u2013 Small Steps, Big Dreams<\/strong><\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Keep moving. You can transform your life.<\/em><\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The Knight \u2013 Be Bold, Think Differently<\/strong><\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Even when the path is not straight, you can still find your way.<\/em><\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The Bishop \u2013 Follow Your Purpose<\/strong><\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Stay focused and committed to your journey.<\/em><\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The Rook \u2013 Build Strength, Stand Firm<\/strong><\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Be a strong foundation for yourself and others.<\/em><\/span><\/li><li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The Queen \u2013 Power and Leadership<\/strong><\/span><br \/><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>You have the power to lead, protect, and win.<\/em><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>Phylis concluded with a message that resonated deeply: \u201cYou are part of a global family of thinkers and dreamers.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b472925 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b472925\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hall-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-36002\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hall-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hall-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hall-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c517287 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c517287\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Generous support and looking ahead<\/strong><\/p><p>Importantly, this growing chess community is now better equipped thanks to generous donations: The Gift of Chess provided 100 chess sets, and DGT contributed 100 digital chess clocks. These will be put to immediate use during the mass tournament taking place the following day, on June 29th, for all refugees that are part of the Chess for Protection program; girls from the Girls Club included.<\/p><p>We hope that this is just the beginning. With continued support and opportunities like these, we believe the next Chess Olympiad could feature members of the Refugee Team who took their very first steps here in Kakuma.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c012c36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c012c36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"656\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Certificates.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-36001\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Certificates.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Certificates-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Certificates-768x504.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29992a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29992a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Chess for Protection project is made possible thanks to the ongoing collaboration between FIDE and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/\">UNHCR<\/a>, whose shared vision for inclusion and empowerment through chess continues to uplift the incredible people in Kakuma.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Saturday, June 28t, something truly extraordinary happened in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Over 330 girls gathered for a special on-site chess event! It was a special day \u2013 featuring motivational talks and friendly chess matches \u2013 transforming what is usually a virtual connection into a vibrant, in-person celebration of empowerment through chess. The event was part of the Girls Club \u2013 an initiative of the FIDE Commission for Women\u2019s Chess that offers regular support, training, and empowerment opportunities to girls living in Kakuma Refugee Camp. The Girls Club is part of the broader Chess for Protection project, through which FIDE brings chess to displaced communities. Usually, the Club holds weekly on-line sessions with international coaches WGM Anastasia Karlovich and IM Salome Melia, alongside a local chess tutor. These sessions provide not only chess instruction, but also a much-needed sense of structure, confidence, and global connection. A special day in a unique place Organizing an event in a refugee camp is no simple task. Access, logistics, permissions, communication \u2013 each step requires careful planning and strong local partnerships. Yet the impact of showing up in person cannot be overstated. It sends a clear message: We see you. We care. We are ready to do it for you. And the girls responded. Over 330 girls from different schools in the camp took part in Saturday\u2019s celebration \u2013 an incredible turnout that deeply moved everyone involved. Inspiration across the board The day\u2019s highlight was a motivational session by Phylis Ngigi, Director of The Gift of Chess, who traveled to Kakuma to deliver her inspiring talk: \u201cRising Like Queens: Life Lessons Through Chess.\u201d Speaking from personal experience, Phylis used each chess piece as a metaphor for life, weaving powerful lessons into a message of resilience and hope: The Pawn \u2013 Small Steps, Big DreamsKeep moving. You can transform your life. The Knight \u2013 Be Bold, Think DifferentlyEven when the path is not straight, you can still find your way. The Bishop \u2013 Follow Your PurposeStay focused and committed to your journey. The Rook \u2013 Build Strength, Stand FirmBe a strong foundation for yourself and others. The Queen \u2013 Power and LeadershipYou have the power to lead, protect, and win. Phylis concluded with a message that resonated deeply: \u201cYou are part of a global family of thinkers and dreamers.\u201d Generous support and looking ahead Importantly, this growing chess community is now better equipped thanks to generous donations: The Gift of Chess provided 100 chess sets, and DGT contributed 100 digital chess clocks. These will be put to immediate use during the mass tournament taking place the following day, on June 29th, for all refugees that are part of the Chess for Protection program; girls from the Girls Club included. We hope that this is just the beginning. With continued support and opportunities like these, we believe the next Chess Olympiad could feature members of the Refugee Team who took their very first steps here in Kakuma. The Chess for Protection project is made possible thanks to the ongoing collaboration between FIDE and UNHCR, whose shared vision for inclusion and empowerment through chess continues to uplift the incredible people in Kakuma.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":36003,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[45],"regular":[],"sticky-post":[],"class_list":["post-36000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fide-news","tag-chess-for-refugees"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36000"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36000\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36010,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36000\/revisions\/36010"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36000"},{"taxonomy":"regular","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/regular?post=36000"},{"taxonomy":"sticky-post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sticky-post?post=36000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}