We use football and chess as tools to address psychological trauma among refugee youth
About Us
Raise Chess Academy (RCA) is a refugee youth-led organization that unites refugees from different cultural backgrounds by empowering refugee youth to overcome psychological trauma through chess, football activities, education and creating safe spaces to gain a sense of belonging.
Our Beginning
RCA was founded in 2020 by Julien Kanyonga after the loss of his father. This was the most painful and difficult time for him and his family. As a young refugee himself, he realized the power of sports and education in empowering refugee youth to overcome obstacles and learn skills that would help them in the future.
Our Movement
Our existence comes from a lived experience of resilience. It shows how to turn pain into a strong ambition of community transformation.
What started as a response to personal loss became a movement to support others facing similar challenges.
The Need
Refugee children often find it difficult to communicate with host communities and also to adapt to the English system of education in Uganda. This very often leads to them dropping out of school.
Many refugee children struggle with language barriers, limited access to education, and difficulty integrating into new communities.
RCA saw this need and calculated that providing these children with English language skills would address the language barriers and reduce the rates of school dropout due to lack of basic English language.
Turning Challenges into Opportunity
We address this by creating safe, inclusive spaces where youth can:
Learn English and improve literacy
Build confidence through play and teamwork
Develop critical thinking and life skills
Connect with others across cultures
Our vision
An inclusive world where every child is free from psychological trauma.
