Coronavirus: SOM Chess Academy Extends Food Relief to Vulnerable Families

In a bid to reach out to the vulnarable acommunities and provide relief in this Covid 19 stricken time, SOM Chess Academy has come out to extend food distribution to the families affected by the lockdown.

The academy headed by the director and Coach Robert Katende, distributed food to the most vulnerable families in all its Kampala Chess Centers of Katwe, Nateete, Kibuli, Bwaise and Kawempe.

This program aims at helping the children in the Academy program access food and ease their situation during these demanding 32 days of lockdown.

SOM Chess Academy Director Robert Katende

Speaking to ChimpReports, Katende who is behind the successful story of SOM Chess Academy noted that there was need to cater for the children in the slums who have been greatly affected with the COVID 19 pandemic.

“Some of the children are not in touch with their guardians since by the time of the lock down, their guardians had traveled and couldn’t make it back hence making the situation more complex for the children to survive without support,” said katende.

He added, “This Initiative started three years ago to empower youths with vocational skills but we have had a feeding program in all our centers since 2005. We mainly work with the most vulnerable communities including villages that’s why we have programs in Hoima, Budaka, Masaka, Gulu, Kagadi as well as in the slums of Kampala.”

The food distribution program was done in collaboration with development organizations in Uganda which are Uganda Unites and The Cradle, facilitated by Safe Boda transport company and guidance from the Health ministry.

Each family in the five Chess centers areas where received 10Kgs of Posho, 4Kgs of Beans, 2 Packets of Salt, One bar of soap and a tin of Kimbo measuring 1/2 Kilograms.

Tracking the history of SOM Chess Academy, notably evidenced through the Queen of Katwe film project which was a powerful true story of the constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi and her family who lived in the slums of Kampala.

Phiona’s world changes when she meets Robert Katende, who teaches children how to play chess and becomes fascinated with the game and soon turns into a top player.