On September 1st, 2025, Chess in Slums Africa (CISA) marks a significant milestone—seven years of empowering children in underserved communities through the transformative power of chess. From humble beginnings in Lagos, Nigeria, CISA has grown into a beacon of hope, impacting lives across the African continent. This anniversary is not just a reflection of our past achievements but a celebration of the countless lives touched and the promising future ahead.

Our Origins: A Vision Born from Personal Experience

Founded in September 2018 by Tunde Onakoya, a national chess master and advocate for educational equity, CISA emerged from a personal journey. Having experienced the challenges of growing up in a disadvantaged community, Tunde recognized the potential of chess as a tool for cognitive development, discipline, and social mobility. His vision was clear: to use chess as a vehicle for change, providing children in slums with opportunities to develop critical thinking skills, build confidence, and aspire for a better future.

Our Reach: From One Community to a Continent

What began in Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos, has expanded to seven communities within Nigeria: Makoko, Oshodi, Lekki, Ibadan, Obanliku, and Maiduguri. Each community has its unique story, challenges, and triumphs, but all share a common thread—the transformative impact of chess.

Through strategic partnerships, notably with The Gift of Chess, CISA has extended its reach beyond Nigeria’s borders. This collaboration has facilitated the distribution of over 50,000 chess sets across 25 African countries, including Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Rwanda, Namibia, Lesotho, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Gabon, Togo, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Botswana, Cape Verde, DRC, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Benin, Ghana, and Gambia.

These sets have been distributed to schools, orphanages, prisons, and community centers, igniting a passion for chess and its life-changing benefits across the continent.

Our Programs: Building Minds, Skills, and Futures

At the heart of CISA’s mission is the C.A.S.T.L.E framework, a holistic approach to child development:

• CA – Chess and Character Development: Teaching strategic thinking, resilience, and leadership through chess.

• ST – S.T.E.A.M & Digital Skills: Introducing children to digital literacy, robotics, coding, design, VR, and creative arts, preparing them for the future workforce.

• LE – Lifeline Education & Empowerment: Providing basic literacy, mental math, civic education, and mentorship, ensuring a well-rounded education.

These programs are designed to be more than just educational; they are pathways to empowerment, offering children the tools to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future.

Our Initiatives: Breaking Barriers, Creating Opportunities

CISA’s impact extends beyond the chessboard through several key initiatives:

• Chess in Communities: Bringing chess into underserved areas as a tool for critical thinking, confidence, and social connection.

• Academic Scholarships: Providing children with access to formal education, keeping them in school, nurturing talent, and opening doors to brighter futures.

• Health Insurance: Supporting children and families with access to healthcare, ensuring that no child’s education is cut short by preventable illness.

• Vocational Empowerment: Equipping young people with practical skills in trades and digital literacy, empowering them to earn, innovate, and build sustainable livelihoods.

These initiatives are integral to CISA’s mission, addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by children in underserved communities and providing them with the resources to overcome these obstacles.

Our Community Impact: Reaching the Most Vulnerable

CISA focuses on reaching the most marginalized groups:

• Out-of-School Children: Providing educational opportunities to those excluded from formal schooling.

• Street-Connected Youths: Offering a safe space and support for children living on the streets.

• Marginalized Communities: Including shelter homes, internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, and correctional centers.

• Public Schools: Enhancing the educational experience of children in public schools through extracurricular programs and support.

By targeting these groups, CISA ensures that its programs reach those who need them the most, creating a ripple effect that extends throughout the community.

Our Partners: Collaborating for Greater Impact

These partnerships have been instrumental in providing the resources and support necessary to expand our programs and reach more children across Africa.

Our Champions: Volunteers and Advocates

Behind every success story are the individuals who dedicate their time and resources to our cause:

These champions are the lifeblood of CISA, turning vision into reality and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Volunteer with us!

Our Impact: By the Numbers

The statistics speak for themselves:

These numbers reflect the tangible impact of CISA’s programs and the lives transformed through our initiatives.

Our Future: The Next Chapter

Looking ahead, CISA is committed to:

These goals are ambitious, but with the continued support of our partners and community, they are within reach.

How You Can Get Involved

Your move matters. For 7 years, we’ve been changing lives across the board.| The next 7 will be even bigger,  but we can’t do it alone.

CISA’s journey is just beginning, and we invite you to be a part of it:

• Partner with us: Join our network of organizations working to make a difference.[partnerships@chessinslumsafrica.com]

• Support a child’s education: Your contribution can provide scholarships and resources to children in need. [ scholarships@chessinslumsafrica.com]

• Join the movement: Stay connected and informed by joining our community; [CLICK HERE]

Together, we can continue to unveil the royalty in every underserved child.

Donations

THIS IS DAY ONE!