Mayele Josh Julien - Raise Chess Academy, Nakivale refugee settlement, Uganda
We are a program based in Nakivale refugee settlement, Uganda that uses the power of chess to help refugee children unite and help refugee children from different cultural background and nationalities to overcome Psychological trauma.....
All the children we work with are from nations that have been affected by insecurities especially the Democratic Republic of Congo, S.Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Chess helps us to create unity, togetherness and a sense of belonging, some children have lost their parents due to the conflicts, in most cases these orphans just like me Josh who is a half orphan finds Raise Chess Academy as a family that loves and cares for them.
We use the power of chess to create an inclusive community where girls are able to take part in all activities including giving them a chance to take part in leadership skills so they can become future leaders and no one left behind.
The project started when I lost my dad and had passed through a lot as a young refugee youth in Nakivale refugee settlement, Uganda. During this time when my father had passed away, chess was the only thing that helped me to cop up w/ my mental health.
I realized that this power would change many refugee children/youth who are passing through the same challenges as me and so RAISE CHESS ACADEMY was born. With a mission to help refugee children/youth overcome Psychological trauma through chess.