18 year old Adeoye Fawaz, a bus conductor who has lived years of his life under Oshodi bridge has become the overall champion in both chess and mental maths in a competition organized by Tunde Onakoya, founder at Chess in Slums Africa. Tunde who grew up poor was given a chance to greatness through the game of chess. Chess in Slums Africa was officially born on 1st September, 2018.
Tunde said that it is their intention to give all children equal opoortunites to thrive and with love, show the children the reflection of what their future could really look like.
With the belief that where the mind goes, everything goes, the game of chess was presented to 51 children, most of whom have lived with horrible life experiences, either as orphans or destitutes under the Oshodi bridge.
The children went through mentorship session where they talked about some of the terrible vices they have done, showing great remorse and a willingness to follow a new path.
The organisers of Chess in Slums Africa said that they are in contact with shelter homes, rehabilitation centers and orphanages while working out modalities to enroll the children and map out a financial plan to cater for their education and skills acquisition for at least the next one year.
Tunde said he has truly seen what the children can become if given an opportunity to let their light shine.
Tunde, who has been been getting accolades from people and appreciating supports of well-meaning Nigerians said that for him, the greatest miracle of chess is in the innate ability of a pawn(the least valuable piece) to become a queen (the most powerful piece). He said it reflects the true essence of what they can do at “chess in slums” to help every child grow.
