The Gift of Chess Launches Plastic Waste Recycled Chess Set Manufacturing in Goma, DRC

We first connected with Bashige several years ago when we partnered with Soga Chess and sent him 1,000 The Gift of Chess chess sets from Kenya to Goma, DRC for distribution across schools and orphanages. Goma had been ravaged by conflict and we felt chess could bring hope.

Bashige and his team from took these chess sets and taught children across Goma. The impact was significant and the work captured global headlines.

Children played and grew in the game. Finding an escape and a space for intellectual curiosity.

Recent on our trip to Kenya, Bashige joined us from the DRC, and we had the opportunity to connect in person for the very first time.

On our visit to Kibera, we visited the factory which is transforming waste plastic into custom made chess sets. We wondered if we could do the same in Goma, DRC

We decided to give it a try. Bashige would head back to Goma, DRC and prepare a factory space. We would secure the equipment and molds in Kenya and transport them on trucks across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda finally reaching Goma, DRC. Due to an outbreak of Ebola, we had to send them on a boat across Lake Victoria. Finally reaching Goma!

Once they reached, which took nearly a month in transit, Bashige and his team from Soga Chess was ready. Production started almost immediately.

We quickly began producing full chess sets made entirely in Goma, DRC. As quickly as they were being produced Soga Chess was getting them to children in the community as a tool for education, hope and opportunity.

Our production rate is projected to be nearly 40 sets per day with the factory running 5 days a week. We want these chess sets to be an asset a value add to the community and for Bashige and his team to find buying customers. Maybe people who are simply willing to buy and donate back to the Soga Chess allowing them to reach more communities.

The sets will be priced at 10 USD. Please reach out if you are interested in placing an order.