We use chess and soccer as a tool to combat psychological trauma in refugee children/youth. We are Based in Nakivale refugee settlement, Uganda
Nakivale refugee settlement
Joined September 2021
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Raise Chess Academy retweeted
Absolutely Brilliant @julienkanyonga
Heading to the World Premiere of Raised. The life story of our dear friend Julien the founder of @RCAuganda
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
Heading to the World Premiere of Raised. The life story of our dear friend Julien the founder of @RCAuganda
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
Four years ago we brought 500 chess sets to Rikers Island. October 22nd we are returning with 500 more chess sets. Chess is a rehabilitation tool we can use to change lives. It makes sense for all of us!!
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
In the comments below, help us describe the transformation process starting from waste plastic to a custom made recycled @thegiftofchess chess set.
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
Purpose
#chess had become that game , that naturally connects me with some amazing souls.
My experience at the Female custodial Facility kirikiri, reminds me , about the words;
There's Hope;
More story; when the time comes its #Day1. @AndrewC42711235 @anabelsteve7 @promotingqueens
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
Do you remember Jona, who uses his nose and lips to play chess?
Today, he was crowned 1st place in the Egyptian National Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities, with an outstanding score of 6.5/10, losing only two games. @MahmoudRoushdi1
There’s a 13-year-old boy I have to tell you about. He was diagnosed with muscular atrophy when he was just 10 months old. A condition that makes it impossible for him to move like other kids… but nothing could stop his mind.
A Thread @MahmoudRoushdi1
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
Spaces that matters. We create spaces that knows no boundaries together with our @thegiftchess @RCAuganda
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
In Nakivale Refugee Settlement, home to more than 280,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Burundi and Rwanda, and few Ugandan nationals. it is a community of people who speak more than 7 languages and come from than 7 different cultural backgrounds and countries and communities making it difficult to unite. On top of that many people especially children have come to this new community when they are emotionally and mentally challenged by the wars, conflicts and unpleasant environments they have been too in their home countries.
@RCAuganda together with our partners such as @thegiftofchess and @WeAreCohere_Org we are creating meaningful spaces for refugee children to be feel safe, to learn and most importantly to overcome psychological trauma through chess as a simple tool.
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
Kuka Kyle, a 16 year old Kenyan chess prodigy, is in NYC to train at the Elite Training Camp held in Times Square. Kyle who recently took 2nd place at the Kenyan National Chess Championship will compete in two rated games per day along with instruction led by GM Alex Lenderman.
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
One of our biggest challenges has been funding. To date, I have personally funded our outreach activities without external financial support. Although it has not always been easy, it has never stopped me from pursuing the vision that inspired @chess4hope. Seeing children discover the joy of chess, build confidence, and develop critical thinking skills reminds me why this mission is worth every sacrifice.
Chess4Hope is built on the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, dream, and grow through chess. We are committed to reaching more underserved communities across Nigeria, and joining @thegiftofchess community is a major milestone that will help us expand our impact and reach many more children.
I am sincerely grateful to The Gift of Chess for welcoming Chess4Hope into this global movement. Together, we can ensure that more children experience the life changing power of chess one chess set, one move, and one child at a time.
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
So much joy, our goal is to heal wounds that have bleeded from unplanned circumstances, staying in wars that seemed never to end was never an option anymore.
Together with @thegiftochess @raiseches and partners we are healing wounds of broken hearts from refugee children allover the world who have been heart my wars, persecution and life long loss of families members. Chess is bringing smiles on their faces
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
WHAT IF WE TOLD YOU...
"We need your trust more than your money."
Racheal Nyibol is the founder of Refugee Mental Health Network, a refugee-led organisation based in Kampala, Uganda.
She explains why trust—not donor demands—is key to serving her community.
Start with trust.
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Albert Einstein
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
WHAT IF WE TOLD YOU... "Making decisions for us is what holds us back."
Julien Kanyonga, founder of Raise Chess Academy, believes true change happens when refugees shape their own futures. Watch 🎥👇
#WhatIfWeToldYou #Agency
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
At just 11 years old, Jean Claude achieved something special during the Masters & Students Games by defeating his coach on the chess board. When Jean Claude first joined @RaiseChess Raise Chess Academy (RCA), he rarely smiled, found it difficult to interact with others, and had never even seen a game of chess before. Speaking to people was a challenge, and confidence seemed far away.
Today, Jean Claude is a different young person. He smiles, plays with friends, engages confidently with others, and continues to amaze everyone with his extraordinary chess talent. His journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people are given a safe space to learn, grow, and belong. We are proud of Jean Claude and excited to see what the future holds for him. @julienmayele0
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
We at a community of dreamers fighting for change. We are not armed with weapons that destroy but with chess sets that empower. Our greatest asset is the stories of love that we share because through that we can inspire the world.
A film by @baronedgar
youtu.be/-7UOfUNgYcM?feature…
Raise Chess Academy retweeted
How do we measure "impact"?
In her latest blog, Basika Jenny challenges the systemic biases that favour visibility over integrity. She argues RLOs aren't "hidden"—they're holding systems together in ways traditional aid often overlooks.
Read: tinyurl.com/h97fn76u
