Chess as Social Work Activism in Rural Africa: A Case Study of Chess in Slums Africa

• In Event: Activism and Social Justice in Social Work

Abstract

Chess is a relatively inexpensive and accessible activity, making it a promising tool for community development in marginalized communities. This study explores the potential of chess as a catalyst for social change in marginalized rural African communities, focusing on the initiatives of the local nonprofit, Chess in Slums Africa. Drawing on Community Empowerment Theory (Perkins & Zimmerman, 1995) and Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1979), the research investigates how chess-based interventions enhance individual capabilities and communal well-being. This study addresses a research gap in non-traditional community development methods. The findings of this study could help to inform the development of chess-based community development programs in other parts of the world.

This pioneering study engages a mixed-methods approach, including an ethnographic approach to investigate the qualitative and quantitative impact of chess programs on targeted rural African communities. This comprehensive methodology, informed by Creswell and Clark's (2017) principles, provides insights into the multidimensional potential of chess as a tool for social work interventions, broadening the discussion of game-based learning, especially in low-income contexts (Pynnönen et al., 2022). The results offer guidance for practitioners and policymakers in implementing and expanding similar initiatives in diverse sociocultural settings, contributing to the literature on adaptable, sustainable solutions for community development, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals on quality education and reduced inequality (UN, 2015).

Keywords: Chess, Social Work, Community Empowerment, Human Rights, Rural Africa, Educational Enrichment, Capability Approach.

References

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv26071r6
Creswell, J. W., Clark, V. L. (2017). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. Sage publications.
Perkins, D. D., Zimmerman, M. A. (1995). Empowerment theory, research, and application. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 569-579.
Pynnönen, L., Hietajärvi, L., Kumpulainen, K., & Lipponen, L. (2022). Overcoming illiteracy through game-based learning in refugee camps and urban slums. Computers and Education Open, 3, 100113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100113
Spence, I., & Feng, J. (2010). Video Games and Spatial Cognition. Review of General Psychology, 14, 104 - 92. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019491.
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Accessed on 10/16/2023 available at https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

Author

• Emmanuel Abiodun Oke