By Iphendule Sigwebela
In a heartwarming act of community engagement, students from St Mary’s Hall at Rhodes University donated three chess boards to Aspire Psychosocial and Educational Support Services for Vulnerable Children (APESSERV) in Makhanda on Tuesday.
The donation, which enhances the organization’s resources, adds to the four chess boards APESSERV already had, bringing the total to seven, providing more opportunities for the children to engage in the strategic game.
APESSERV, founded in 2018 by Zimasa Burns-Ncamashe, offers critical support to vulnerable learners in the Makhanda community. The organization provides a range of services, including counselling, psychosocial support, nutrition, laundry services, life skills training, and holistic health education. Initially established as a life skills project for children, APESSERV officially registered in 2020 and has since grown into a vital resource for the community.
In addition to the donation, the St Mary’s Hall students, who are chess players themselves, spent the afternoon teaching the game to grade 4 and 5 learners at APESSERV. This initiative seeks to build skills beyond recreation, encouraging critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making in the young participants.
“Chess falls under recreation, and we would like more children to participate in the game not only for enjoyment but to stimulate their thinking and reasoning ability,” said Ncamashe, the director of the NPO.
Chess is widely regarded as a tool for cognitive development in children, helping to improve focus, memory, and strategic planning. Through playing chess, learners can enhance their academic performance and life skills. The inclusion of chess in APESSERV’s programs is seen as a key step in promoting the holistic development of its learners.
“This was very exciting for us,” said Ncamashe. “We now have a bunch of chess boards. They brought three, and we already had four, so we have a total of seven.”
The involvement of Rhodes University students highlights the growing relationship between the university and the local Makhanda community. The donation also serves as an inspiration for others to get involved, further strengthening the connection between the university and the community.
“We would like to unlock and nurture the talent of all the children in the program through a variety of recreational activities,” added Ncamashe.
APESSERV’s commitment to holistic child development includes not just recreation but also collaboration with partners in education, health, sport, arts, and culture. Some of the children from the program have already participated in local chess tournaments, showcasing the potential that this initiative is unlocking in these young learners.
This partnership between APESSERV and Rhodes University is paving the way for more impactful collaborations, aimed at making a positive difference in the lives of children in Makhanda.
