CHESS FOR HOPE PROJECT

Chess for Hope is a community upliftment project led by KZN Chess Academy in partnership with I Care Durban. Since its launch in 2023, the initiative has offered weekly chess coaching every Wednesday for street children, creating a safe and nurturing space where hope, learning, and possibility can flourish.

Through the game of chess, vulnerable children and youth at risk develop critical skills such as strategic thinking, emotional resilience, patience, and self-belief.

Beyond the board, these lessons help them navigate everyday challenges with confidence and purpose.

“Chess for Hope has given our children a sense of purpose and confidence they didn’t always have,” says Lucia Shange, Project Manager at I Care Durban. “It aligns perfectly with our mission to provide care, protection, and opportunities for vulnerable children, giving them the tools they need to thrive.”

With the generous support of The Gift of Chess, who provided much-needed chess sets, Chess for Hope has grown to reach additional I Care Durban homes, giving even more children the opportunity to discover the transformative power of chess and the promise of a brighter future.

CHECKMATE HUNGER PROJECT

Fighting Hunger, One Move at a Time

The Checkmate Hunger Project began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when vulnerable children and elderly people faced increased food insecurity. Seeing the urgent need, KZN Chess Academy, in partnership with local orphanages and community organizations, launched this initiative to provide food and hope to those most affected.

Thanks to the generous support of Premier Foods, who donated bread in the project’s early stages, we were able to reach children and elderly residents at Abalindi Welfare Society in Inanda, as well as children at I Care Durban.

Today, the project continues as an ongoing initiative, collecting non-perishable food items to provide not only meals but also hope, dignity, and brighter futures for those in need.

Every donation—big or small—feeds hope, restores dignity, and uplifts lives.

Donors are recognized in our materials, and local media highlights the impact of your generosity. Together, we can ensure no one in our community goes hungry.