On Saturday, the 22nd of February 2025, three scholarship students went to a chess tournament at the Ol Pejeta wildlife conservancy. This is an experience you can only make in a few places of the world: you play chess until the afternoon and then you go for a game drive with everyone.
Stephen, Agnes and Abdirahman all played in the U14 category. For Stephen and Agnes this was their second tournament and for Abdirahman his first and still they each took home their own personal victories. Stephen made it to the podium as second place with 5 out of 6 points, losing only to the later winner. Agnes and Abdirahman both got 3 out of 6 points: Agnes thereby becoming 2nd best girl U14 and Abdirahman the best player under the age of 12 in the U14 category.
Stephen
On that day I woke up early in the morning and took a shower. I put on my uniform, took my breakfast and then we left for St Christopher‘s. We reached St Christopher‘s at 7:28 AM. We went and mixed with the other children as we were waiting for the bus to come.
When the bus arrived, we were lead by the word of prayer and we continued with our journey to Ol Pejeta. On our way, I saw some buildings which were still in construction, and some were painted in white colour. Then when we reached Ol Pejeta gate,we found a lot of tourists. We went outside and some people went to the washrooms. Then I saw Mr Ambrose getting inside a with Mr Alex for registration. After that we went back to the bus and we went to where we were playing.
We found tables covered with clothes. There was a lady arranging chess boards on the table. She was arranging three chess board in one table, and three chess clocks in the first three tables. Then the the director started reading the order of how every person plays and who is your opponent.
In the first round I won the game vs Agnes and I was very happy to win the game. Then I lost the second game but I didn’t lose hope. I knew there was another round. So I put effort into winning the remaining rounds. I won the third one, fourth and the fifth round. I was very happy,but I was in a tie with one other person. So I was very confused who is the first person. I heard that I was in the second place and I was very happy and excited. For the first time I was number two in a chess tournament.
After that we went to a game drive. We saw elephants, buffaloes and rhinos. I was in a very good mood to win a medal.
I came back home when I was very happy.
Agnes
On Friday evening we went to Nanyuki to stay with Madam Halima, our school’s director. The next morning we got on the bus to Ol Pejeta and the bus driver told us we were going to play chess. On the way to Ol Pejeta I saw many buildings and then we reached the gate.
On that day I was very worried because I thought that I would not be number 1,2 or 3 and I thought that I will be number 3. In the first round my opponent was Stephen. Stephen won and I was very sad. In the second round I did not win either. But I did not lost hope!
I thought that there was going to be another round and I went to play round 3 and I won. I was so happy to win round 3 and I prayed to god to help me win round 4 and god heard my prayer and I won round 4 and even round 5 and I was so happy.
Then we went for a game drive and I saw many buffaloes, rhinos and other wild animals. My trip to Ol Pejeta was so good.
Thank you Alex.
Abdirahman
On that day we left on Friday afternoon.
On Saturday morning I took my breakfast.
Then I went into a car and we went to St Christopher.
At St Christopher we met Mr Ambrose and Mr Alex Githua.
We then got on a bus to Ol Pejeta. We played chess. We drank juice and ate biscuits.
I learnt that if you make two illegal moves you lose. I won 3 rounds and lost two rounds.
Alexander Feil 