2025 has ended, but our mission at Promoting Queens stays on course. At the tailend of 2025, we wrapped up our Community Outreach at the Elenlewo Girls Community School in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It was such a remarkable way for us to end the year 2025 with the amazing girls at Elenlewo Community. We are privileged to do the amazing work we do at Promoting Queens, unveiling the royalty in every girl child we can reach.

Let’s tell you more about the beautiful girls at Elenlewo Community.

From Elenlewo Community With Love

The Promoting Queens team arrived at Elenlewo Community on the 23rd of May 2025, and we maintained our presence there until the end of the year. This is barely enough time to reach all the girls we hoped to get to, but it was worth it!

We were warmly welcomed by the community, and of course, the girls couldn’t wait to see what awesomeness we had in store for them.

At the beginning of the outreach at Elenlewo Girls Community School, we had a massive turnout of 200 girls, but it thinned out, and we maintained a healthy 60 who sat through our program. The other girls became engaged in more pressing academic commitments. Still, we were happy they all joined.

Those who stayed consistent through our program grew in confidence, sharpened their thinking skills, and embraced both chess and tech learning with enthusiasm.

Using Chess as a Confidence Boost and Entry to Technology

As is our custom at Promoting Queens, Chess is our tool, Chess is our mantra, Chess is the canvas with which we paint a sense of royalty in the minds of every girl we reach. So, you can tell what we were up to at Elenlewo Girls Community.

The Chess sessions were focused on helping the girls develop critical thinking, boost their confidence, and instil discipline. There is always more than merely moving Chess pieces; the act of playing Chess is a gift that keeps giving, and we saw this firsthand with the Elenlewo girls. They became calmer, more intuitive, and walked with precision and insight.

As an improvement to our project, we introduced the girls to Foundational Technology Skills, giving them lessons on how the internet works, how technology is a pivotal aspect of the current world we live in, and the emergence of Artificial intelligence. Of course, we linked all of these to Chess.

The girls were inspired to be more than they already had in mind. We could feel their minds shift, and their hearts open up to the vast possibilities their futures hold. They only need dare to reach for it.

There are many fond memories and stories, from us and even more from the girls. But one story stands out.

One Student’s Reflection

In the course of our program, there were several inspiring moments, but nothing beats the testimonial of one of the beautiful girls at Elenlewo Girls Community.

At the closing ceremony of our outreach, one of the girls, Vivian Giadom, gave a presentation. She spoke so confidently and beautifully. We could only see a before-and-after moment. We may have dubbed her shy, but her speech gave no hint of timidity. Vivian spoke on behalf of her peers, sharing the importance of chess and how the Promoting Queens program has impacted her personally.

We may have just made her a chess-head. The way she spoke about Chess so beautifully made us rethink whether we loved the game as much as she did.

Vivian says, “I am now more confident than I have known myself to be. I now think before I speak, before I act, and I am learning more to take pauses. Even in losses, I love Chess. I feel my mind has opened up more.”

Her story is just one of many, and is the beginning of remarkable things for her and her peers. She now sees herself as more than her environment permits; she is a queen. The beautiful and amazing girls at Elenlewo are queens!

Our 6th month of outreach at Elenlewo Girls Community came to an end, but not without due recognition to the girls who showed up, but to all the outstanding girls in the community, even if they all could not join us.

Tournament Highlights and Winners

At the end of the Chess sessions, we hosted a tournament. Of course, it was the first tournament any of the girls have event participated in, but a solid exposure for them. For even just participating in the Chess tournament, we commend the girls; it’s a brave act.

At the end of the tournament, these were the top three performers:

🥇 1st Place: Success Onyeche Peter🥈 2nd Place: Sarah Nwankwo🥉 3rd Place: Rebecca Effiong

The overall winner, Success Onyeche Peter, was proudly presented with a trophy, marking a remarkable achievement and inspiring others to stay committed and keep improving their skills.

Recognising Dedicated Participants

We also celebrated outstanding participation and dedication with a special recognition list. These girls showed strong consistency, enthusiasm, and active engagement:

• Friday Imaobong
• Rejoice Anthony
• Andrew Irika Owoh
• Okorie Victoria
• Francis Barisuka Miracle
• Baridakara Pretty
• Rebecca Effiong
• Giacomo Vivian. B
• Apolos Friday Hannah
• Barisuka Joyce Barieeba
• Sunday Mary Prince
• Angel Henry

Their efforts helped strengthen the learning environment and the spirit of growth and teamwork throughout the project.

Certificates, School Supplies, and Scholarships

As part of the closing ceremony, every participant received a Certificate of Participation to recognise their commitment throughout the program. The girls also received small educational support items and stationery to help bolster their academics.

To further encourage excellence, the Top 5 girls were also awarded scholarships for the next term, reinforcing Promoting Queens’ commitment to ensuring girls are supported academically and empowered to keep striving.

Principal Commends the Initiative

The Principal of Elenlewo Girls Community School, Mrs Dorothy Ndonake, was full of praise and gratitude to Promoting Queens for the outreach. She was happy it was a success, and she could see the impact of the outreach on her students and the ripple effect it would have on the Elenlewo community at large.

Mrs Ndonake also acknowledged the importance of continuing initiatives that strengthen girls academically and socially.

We are indeed humbled by the warm words, support, and encouragement we received from the school’s leadership. We would not have been able to make the massive strides we did without their help.

The Road Ahead for Promoting Queens in 2026

The work we do at Promoting Queens has revealed one important truth: When girls are given the opportunity to learn and lead, the future is not only bright, but the world is perhaps even better.

The Elenlewo Girls Community School Project is one of many projects in our archives, and there’s more to come. We know we can always do better, but we cannot do it alone.

Of course, we are not stopping. We have seen firsthand how Chess can change the lives of girls and women, and this is our major drive. Promoting Queens will continue to inspire young girls to believe in their innate values and potential. The future is yet here.

We can do more together. Support us @Promotingqueen.org. 💜