In Migori County, as most children return home to complete chores or play football, a dedicated group gathers in classrooms at various Frontline Church Partners (FCPs). Instead of balls or books, their tools are pawns, knights, and bishops. These children make up the Migori Chess Dream Team and they have now written their names into African chess history. This inspiring journey began just through a chess coach training initiative led by Zacharia Minyiri, the Compassion Partnership Facilitator for the region. What started as a recreational activity soon transformed into a disciplined pursuit. Word spread quickly across the FCPs in the region and motivated players began meeting every evening after school, staying late to analyse strategies, study legendary matches on tablets, and sketch out tactics on chalkboards.
Their first success occurred in April 2025 during the regional chess championship held at Moi Suba Girls in Migori County. Competing against schools from across the region, the Migori team, represented by players from different FCP, region impressed with their focus, strategy, and preparation. Their strong performance qualified 45 participants to represent the region at the National Chess Tournament at Mangu High School, Kiambu County . Despite limited resources, including the absence of specialized chess clocks and team uniforms, the team’s hard work paid off. “We had no fancy clocks or matching uniforms, but we had each other and we had practiced the game a thousand times,” one player reflected. The Compassion Sponsored participants swept all the medals in the primary school category, securing a place in the National Schools Individual Chess Championship 2025. At the national level, the team competed against elite schools from Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Eldoret Counties.
While many underestimated them, the Migori team defied expectations, finishing 55th out of 700 participating primary schools. Six of their players earned qualification to represent Kenya at the 2025 Africa Schools Individual Chess Championship, hosted in Mombasa County. The continental stage presented an entirely new level of competition, featuring international referees, grandmasters, and players from 13 African countries, including Zambia, Botswana, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, Madagascar, Uganda, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. Yet, the Migori players carried themselves with confidence and determination.
Standout performances from the participants came from Elia, known for his strategic finesse; Sylvia, with her mastery in endgames; and Ledisha , whose consistency under pressure proved invaluable. Their efforts led to Migori team securing its first ever continental medal in the Under 9 team category — a proud moment not only for Migori and Kenya but for every under resourced child with big dreams. Their success has already begun to make a lasting impact. Chess has now been officially adopted as an extracurricular activity in over 10 schools across Migori County, offering many more children access to the game.
Following the tournament, the team was honoured with a breakfast hosted by Samuel Wambugu, the National Director of Compassion International Kenya. The interaction left a lasting impression. “He told us we were not just playing chess — we were rewriting the narrative of rural children in Kenya,” shared Sylvia, one of the top scorers. “It made us feel like champions.”
For many, the lessons learned through chess extend beyond the game. “Chess taught us patience, planning, and how to think five steps ahead not just on the board, but in life,” said Harizon, who now dreams of becoming a civil engineer. For the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (PEFA) Church in Kurutiyange, PEFA Church in Kegonga, and the entire Frontline Church Partners of Migori County, this achievement is about more than trophies it’s a story of resilience, community, and the power of faith. It is a testament to what children and youth can accomplish when given the opportunity to grow. As Elia sums it up: “We played for our town, for our parents, and for the kids who never got a chance. This win is for them.”
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The 2026 National Church Leaders Conference brought together church leaders, Compassion International Kenya leadership, and accountability partners for a day of reflection, learning, and renewed commitment to strengthening ministry to children, youth, and families. Held under the theme “Influencing Positive Change Through Collective Action,” and guided by Genesis 41:38, the conference created space for church leaders to reflect on their shared calling to lead with wisdom, integrity, and the Spirit of God.
The conference was attended by 47 National Church Leaders, representing 497 churches in partnership with Compassion International. The gathering highlighted the power of the local church as a trusted, community-rooted institution that continues to play a central role in nurturing, protecting, discipling, and empowering children and youth. Dr. Oliver Kisaka delivered the devotional message and encouraged leaders, drawing on Acts 11:19–30. He reminded them that a church transformed by the Word of God becomes united, generous, and mission-driven, moving beyond self-focus to impact others through faith and compassion
Following the presentations, church leaders took part in question-and answer and plenary sessions, leading to the conference participants’ key resolutions:
- Conduct comprehensive compliance audits in governance, employment, child protection, data protection, property, financial management, and procurement to support the resolutions that follow.
- Strengthen governance and accountability by reviewing church registration status, clarifying leadership structures,formalizing board meetings, improving reporting lines, and safeguarding church property.
- Enhance tax compliance by reviewing tax-exemption status, filing annual returns, remitting statutory deductions, tracking surplus funds, and maintaining audit-ready records.
- Improve financial management and internal controls through stronger budgeting, procurement, reporting, approval processes, monthly financial reviews, and annual audits as part of the overall compliance response.
- Prioritize child protection and safeguarding by developing or strengthening relevant policies, establishing incident-reporting procedures, and enforcing codes of conduct to reinforce safe church practice.
- Improve data protection by establishing clear procedures, registering or renewing registration with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, securing sensitive information, and enforcing access controls to strengthen responsible information handling.
- Build a strong culture of compliance through regular awareness programs, leadership training, quarterly compliance reviews, annual evaluations, expert support, and independent audits to sustain these measures.
- Plan to align church operations with the African Council for Accreditation and Accountability’s standards and accreditation pathway through assessment, advisory support, and continuous improvement to ensure ongoing progress.
Beyond governance, the conference called churches to expand their commitment to children and youth programming. In his closing remarks, Newton Midamba, Senior Manager of Partnership, encouraged leaders to carry the day’s commitments back to their churches and denominational structures. The conference closed with prayers led by Bishop Shadrack Oloo, marking the end of a significant day of reflection, accountability, and renewed partnership.