Synergy For Women Development Initiative

Meet Onome Christiano, Our New EcoChess Ambassador!

Onome Christiano Onajite is an SS1 science student of Ben-Grace Schools, Lagos; who handcrafted his own chess set from recycled paper. When we saw his invention , it reminded us of the early stage development of our unique handmade chess set.

We see great potentials in this talented young man! He will be mentored on production of the Eco chess set, our handmade chess sets from recycled pure water satchets. He already plays chess alongside his sister.

We are also sending Onome to his school to mentor his colleagues. We are advocating support for his advocacy journey, we want to get him a Chromebook for video mentorship sessions, as well as enhance his Chess skills with a Chesskid Gold subscription.
Can you help us in this regard? Kindly DM us or drop a comment to support Onome today!

We have some incredible news to share!
ChessKid.com the world's leading online chess platform for young learners, has granted participants of our EcoChess Secondary School Training program FREE Gold accounts for the duration of the programme.
This means our students don't just craft their own chess sets from recycled pure water sachets with their hands, they now sharpen their minds on the world's best scholastic chess platform at the same time.
Thank you to for believing in our students and in this mission. This partnership means the world to us!

Lagos state produces about 13,000 tonnes of waste every single day. Nearly 20% of that is plastic waste, much of which ends up in drainage channels, waterways and into the lagoon, contributing to flooding and environmental degradation.
What if some of that waste could become a tool for learning? Through The EcoChess Secondary Schools Training Program, we are showing that discarded pure water sachets are not just waste, they are raw materials for creativity, environmental action, and youth development.

Last weekend, our pioneer students gathered for the very first session of The Ecochess Secondary Schools Training Program and what an introduction it was! Participants learned the full scope of what lies ahead.
The highlight of the day was a screening of Our Gift of Chess Story; a remarkable film that brought together the global team to show how chess, environmental responsibility, and community can fuse into something truly powerful across different countries and cultures.
Watching our students see that story and knowing they are now writing their own chapter of it, was something special.
Activities continue this weekend. A great adventure beckons!

What does chess have to do with environmental awareness, health and safety, or connecting with senior citizens?
Starting this weekend, students from different schools and backgrounds across Lagos will gather to discover that relationship. The EcoChess Secondary Schools Training Programme is designed to introduce structured chess lessons spread across four thematic tracks:
- Chess for Environmental Awareness
- Chess for Wellness
- Chess for Safety & Emergency Preparedness
- Chess for Connection

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single move on the board, for a cleaner environment and a sharper mind.
We are deeply grateful to for their support in making this initiative possible. Watch this space

We've teamed up with GreenẸ̀ Climate Initiative, a Nigerian-based NGO bridging the gap in climate education and environmental action within local communities; to expand the EcoChess Secondary School Training Programme.
Train the Trainers is underway across all 4 sub-tracks.
The programme launches fully in June.
Here's a fact worth sharing:
1 EcoChess set effectively removes 96 sachets from our streets. That is 5 bags of pure water nylons, gone for good!
This is how a little action creates a far-reaching effect.

With support from , we are launching the Eco-Chess Secondary School Training Programme in Lagos.
Over the next 3 months, 100 secondary school students from diverse backgrounds will learn to handcraft chess sets from recycled pure water sachets while participating in four social impact tracks: environmental awareness, health/wellness, connection, safety/ emergency preparedness.
The programme will culminate in a final chess tournament and exhibition showcasing the students’ creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
This is chess beyond the board.
This is sustainability, innovation, and education working together.

We participated in the AI & Robotics Youth Training Program – Training of Trainers for Teachers earlier this week.
The program was designed to equip educators with the skills, tools, and knowledge required to effectively teach Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to young learners. It was a privilege to receive hands-on training and resources from top Indian robotics instructors to enable us deliver high-quality AI and robotics education within our communities.

We equally presented a customized chess set to the local facilitator of the program in Nigeria. We are humbled by this opportunity to do more for young people. We hope to do more with AI and Robotics education, just as we have done with chess.
Please stay tuned for our big announcement next week.