Report on the Sustainable Impact of the SomChess Academy in Uganda

Introduction

The SomChess Academy, located in Katwe, a slum in Kampala, Uganda, has gained international recognition through the Hollywood movie Queen of Katwe. Founded and run by chess coach Robert Katende, the academy continues to produce chess champions despite facing significant financial challenges. This report highlights the academy’s contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its educational and social initiatives.

SomChess Academy and Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 4: Quality Education

SomChess Academy utilizes chess as an innovative educational tool to identify and nurture the potential of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The academy’s approach supports:

• Improving learning outcomes by teaching strategic thinking, discipline, and patience.
• Providing scholarships and financial support for education through prize money and sponsorships.
• Enabling children to pursue higher education and professional careers, including doctors, engineers, and lawyers.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The academy promotes mental health and well-being by engaging children and inmates in chess, which stimulates cognitive development and critical decision-making skills. Chess serves as a metaphor for life, helping participants navigate challenges and opportunities.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

By targeting children and inmates in marginalized communities across Uganda and neighboring countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, and Malawi, the initiative reduces social inequalities by:

• Providing access to educational and developmental opportunities regardless of socioeconomic status.
• Extending programs to prisons, supporting rehabilitation and social reintegration.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The academy’s visibility increased significantly after the publication of a book in 2012 and the subsequent Disney film adaptation, which brought international attention and partnerships. Despite financial setbacks from the film’s performance, the exposure attracted local and global partners supporting the academy’s mission.

Achievements and Challenges

1. Notable Success Stories:
   • Phiona Mutesi, a former school dropout, became a national women’s junior chess champion and earned the title Woman Candidate Master by the World Chess Federation.
   • Patricia Kawuma, a two-time national junior chess champion, has represented Uganda internationally and funded her and her siblings’ education through chess winnings.
   • Jovan Kasozi, Uganda’s current junior chess champion, benefits from the academy’s support despite financial constraints.
2. Program Reach: Over 4,000 children have participated in the academy’s programs over two decades, with current enrollment including more than 2,500 children and approximately 800 inmates.
3. Financial Constraints:
   • The COVID-19 pandemic caused a reduction in funding, forcing the academy to scale down operations and reduce staff from 14 to 8.
   • Limited resources mean only 120 chess boards are available for thousands of players, restricting access to training.
   • The Walt Disney Company’s financial loss on the Queen of Katwe film delayed expected profit-sharing, impacting funding for the academy’s projects.

Future Prospects and Sustainability

Robert Katende remains optimistic about the academy’s future and potential financial support from Disney should the company break even. The academy continues to seek partnerships and funding to sustain and expand its impact, aligning with the SDGs by:

• Enhancing educational opportunities for marginalized youth.
• Promoting mental health and life skills through chess.
• Reducing inequalities by reaching underserved populations.
• Building strong partnerships locally and internationally to support sustainable development.

Conclusion

The SomChess Academy exemplifies how sports and education can drive sustainable development in vulnerable communities. By focusing on the SDGs, particularly Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Partnerships for the Goals, the academy fosters resilience, empowerment, and hope among Uganda’s youth and beyond. Continued support and investment are essential to overcome financial challenges and maximize the transformative power of chess as a tool for sustainable development.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights the use of chess as a teaching tool to develop critical thinking, discipline, and planning skills among children and youth in Uganda’s slums.
   • It mentions scholarships won by players, educational advancement, and the transformation of lives through education and skill development.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The chess program supports mental health and cognitive development by stimulating the mind and teaching resilience and patience.
   • It also indirectly supports well-being by helping inmates and children develop life skills.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The initiative targets children and inmates from poor neighborhoods and slums, providing opportunities to marginalized groups.
   • It extends to neighboring countries and other African nations, promoting inclusion.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Chess champions earn prize money and sponsorships to pay for education and support families, contributing to economic empowerment.
   • The program helps some participants become professionals such as doctors, engineers, and lawyers.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.6: Reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including young people.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 4 Indicators
   • Proportion of children and young people achieving proficiency in reading and mathematics (implied through improved academic performance and skills in mathematics).
   • Number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment (implied by the number of children trained and those who become professionals).
   • Number of scholarships awarded (explicitly mentioned).
2. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Prevalence of mental health and well-being (implied through the benefits of chess on mental stimulation and resilience).
3. SDG 10 Indicators
   • Proportion of people living below 50% of median income (implied by targeting marginalized children and inmates).
   • Participation rate of marginalized groups in education and training programs (implied by the inclusion of slum children and inmates).
4. SDG 8 Indicators
   • Proportion of youth not in employment, education or training (implied by the program’s efforts to engage youth in chess and education).
   • Number of youth earning income through chess competitions (explicitly mentioned prize money and sponsorships).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: bbc.com