The most competitive activity at Oasis isn’t our award-winning basketball program. Or our music club.
Right now, everyone wants one of the coveted spots on our national chess team.
The buzz started when Kenya’s Ministry of Education shifted curriculum standards to focus more on critical thinking than memorization. Many students struggled to adapt, and teachers at Oasis had a creative solution to this education gap: chess.
It was an immediate hit with students, and the benefits have been significant. Students are concentrating for longer periods of time, developing stronger critical thinking skills, learning how to win and lose with grace, and gaining confidence.
Not only has chess helped improve their academic performance, but it’s made students feel smart, successful, and celebrated.
This transformation is evident in how they treat each other. One student recently shared a snack with his opponent at a competition, and others have enthusiastically jumped in to mentor their teammates.
This year, seven of our Oasis students advanced through regionals to compete at the national level and one student won their age group!
Our students are competing against chess players with significantly more resources and financial opportunity, which makes the determination and success of Oasis students all the more impressive.
Thanks to the commitment of their teachers and your faithful support, chess is transforming the way these students view themselves and others. My day begins before the children wake, when the surroundings are still quiet and I can pretend, for a moment, that no one needs anything from me.
On mission together,
Jennifer Neumann
Executive Director of Oasis for Orphans
P.S. Extracurricular activities like our award-winning chess and basketball programs provide a healing space for children to enjoy being children.
As a member of the Rafiki Table, you can make sure students have access to these transformative activities and committed teachers to guide them. Learn more about your place at the Table: o4o.org/monthly/
