Chess Tuition from across the Ocean.
My name is Om Chatterjee, and I am a 12-year-old middle school student from Ohio, USA. Chess has been a very special part of my life since I was 10 years old. What began as simple curiosity quickly grew into a deep passion, and ever since then, I have worked hard to improve through study, practice, and competitive tournaments. To me, chess is much more than just a game. It teaches patience, focus, resilience, and discipline, and it shapes us in ways that reach far beyond the chessboard. It helps build character and influences the kind of person we grow into.
When I was introduced to Arise, an institution in the foothills of Kilimanjaro, I was deeply moved by its story and mission. The founders, staff, and teachers were incredibly kind, encouraging, and supportive of my dream to share chess with the children there. The students welcomed each lesson with such joy, curiosity, and excitement, and seeing their faces light up whenever they learned something new was truly meaningful to me. Because of the warmth and dedication of the staff at Arise, each class became something I truly looked forward to every single week. This experience has meant so much to me because it showed me that chess can reach far beyond the board. It can bring people together, create meaningful connections, and share hope, joy, and inspiration across different parts of the world.
