The Gift of Chess reaches Lagos Nigeria

Two weeks ago, Tyrone Davis III, founding board member of The Gift of Chess, made the journey to Nigeria and, together with Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, distributed 500 chess sets to children around Lagos.

The five-day trip was a life-changing experience for everyone involved (you can view a short video from Tyrone's perspective - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQtFihQuUQs - as well as an update from Tunde - https://twitter.com/Tunde_OD/status/1512812137617534983) and affirmed for us that chess is, indeed, a universal language. The children could not have been more enthusiastic to receive their sets and to learn the game in, what we hope, will mark an inflection point in the lives of many of them.

The trip, however, only scratched the surface of the demand for chess sets and education across Nigeria. In response to a tweet from Tunde, over 50 representatives of schools, community organizations, and chess clubs all over the country sent messages asking for chess sets for their own communities. Given the success of Tyrone's trip and this demand, we are now raising an additional $20,000 to deliver 5,000 more sets and access to chess technology to children across Nigeria this summer!

Of course, none of this is possible without you. Every dollar you donate will go directly towards the purchase of the 5,000 sets and, we hope, transforming the life of a child. We are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support.

Once again, with great appreciation,

Russ Makofsky
Gift of Chess Board Member