{"id":41593,"date":"2025-12-08T08:55:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T08:55:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/?p=41593"},"modified":"2025-12-08T09:05:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T09:05:46","slug":"kakuma-chess-club-project-2025-milestones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fide.com\/kakuma-chess-club-project-2025-milestones\/","title":{"rendered":"Kakuma Chess Club Project: 2025 Milestones"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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In 2025, the Kakuma Chess Club, supported by FIDE and project partners, successfully delivered structured chess training, girls\u2019 empowerment sessions, and competitive tournaments across the Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps. The program reached over 2,300 children and youth this year, providing life skills, safe recreation, exposure to national events, and pathways toward long-term chess excellence.<\/p>

The Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps host diverse populations facing significant psychosocial and educational challenges. The Kakuma Chess Club uses chess as a low-cost and culturally inclusive tool to strengthen cognitive abilities, promote peaceful coexistence, and offer meaningful alternatives for youth engagement.<\/p>

In collaboration with FIDE, Chess Kenya, UNHCR, and LWF, the program continues to grow into one of the most respected youth development initiatives in the camps.<\/p>

\u201cAs the leader of the Chess for Protection project, who has been involved since its very beginning four years ago, I am truly happy with the progress we have achieved. We have built a strong and well-structured foundation, and the number of people interested in learning chess continues to grow. However, it is very important to remember that in this community we speak about chess in a social context \u2014 as a form of support, a tool that helps people express themselves, and a way to overcome painful life experiences. I am very glad that chess is not only a sport, but also a powerful means of helping people around the world who find themselves in difficult circumstances. We have achieved all of this together with our partners \u2014 UNHCR, Chess Kenya, Lutheran, DGT, and Gift of Chess,\u201d said Anastasia Sorokina<\/strong>, leader of the Chess for Protection project.<\/p>

Project milestones<\/strong><\/p>

Girls\u2019 Chess Club:<\/strong>\u00a0January\u2013December 2025, with weekly Saturday sessions held at four schools: Bear-El-Naam Girls Primary School, Angelina Jolie Girls Primary School, Lifeworks Tumaini Girls Secondary School, and The Big Heart Foundation Girls Secondary School. The Big Heart Foundation Girls Secondary School joined the program in June, and with FIDE’s support, received all necessary equipment to hold weekly lessons. The program created a supportive, girl-centered environment to encourage confidence, skill development, and long-term participation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Anastasiya Karlovych <\/strong>and Salome Melia, <\/strong>trainers of the Girls\u2019 Club:
\u201cWe\u2019re proud of everything our girls accomplished this year! Their progress, determination, and unity made this season truly special. We grew from three schools to four, and it\u2019s wonderful to see our community continue to grow and inspire even more young girls!\u201d<\/p>

Main program activities:<\/strong>
February\u2013October 2025. Led by trained Local Chess Facilitators, activities were conducted in 37 learning institutions and more than 20 community clubs across Kakuma and Kalobeyei.<\/p>

2025 Tournament participation<\/strong><\/p>

  1. Kenya National Youths & Cadets Championship<\/strong>\u2013 Mangu High School<\/span>