Turning Waste
Into Opportunity
Solving two problems
at once
Each day, tons of plastic waste piles up in communities that have too few opportunities. Through creative reuse, EcoChess sets offer a scaleable and replicable solution to help change that story — one bottle, one board, one move at a time.
On the board and
for the planet
The Gift of Chess has collaborated with Kijiji Solutions to produce EcoChess sets, combining recycled plastic, local manufacturing and chess education. Kijiji Solutions repurposes fairly sourced recycled plastic in communities facing environmental and economic hardship. Using custom, cottage-industry-scale machinery, local workshops turn this waste into quality chess sets, creating jobs, workplace skills and educational growth across communities.
Together with Kibera Knights, The Gift of Chess puts these sets directly into the hands of young people in schools, youth programs, prisons and refugee camps. Chess builds critical thinking, problem solving, focus and concentration. Coaching transforms the game into important life skills. EcoChess sets are more than a board and pieces: they are a pathway to opportunity.
Two micro-factories built
Two more underway
Tap a pin to learn more.Tap a location below to learn more.
Kibera (Nairobi)
Kenya
- 3,000 chess sets produced & distributed since inception
- 40 sets per day · 200 per week
- 6 employees · operational 5 days a week
- Over 50 new chess clubs launched in Kibera
Goma
Democratic Republic of Congo
- 1,000 chess sets produced to date
- 270 distributed thus far
- 10 employees · operates 5 days a week
Kakuma & Nakivale
Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya
Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda
- Two comprehensive waste management systems, one at each site
- Designed to maximize employment and product development using post-consumer waste
A winning
partnership
The Gift of Chess
The Gift of Chess supports the manufacturing of chess sets from recycled plastics for global distribution to schools, prisons and refugee centers, leveraging chess as a low-cost, universally recognized tool to expand opportunity, encourage critical thinking and connecting people across the world.
Kijiji Solutions
Kijiji Solutions works at the intersection of environmental sustainability and community empowerment, helping communities move to zero waste and become environmental stewards while building sustainable livelihoods for households and small businesses.
Our team
Richard Haukom
Richard Haukom is the Founder of Kijiji Solutions and an experienced entrepreneur, educator, and community organizer. He created Haukom Associates, an award-winning design and manufacturing consultancy with clients such as ABC News Interactive, Electric Power Research Institute, Johnson & Johnson, Sony, USAID and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Ken Kaplan
Ken Kaplan is a trained Special Educator. He has been actively involved with Crossing Thresholds for over eight years, directing the Technology and Educational Development of their schools in Kibera, as well as founding and directing the Kibera Knights Chess Club, a youth chess team of over 250 members based in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya.
Donate now
EcoChess sets turn waste into opportunity one chess set at a time.
Each $100 donation keeps our factories running, creates employment opportunities and provides 10 chess sets with lessons to local chess clubs.
Scan to donate with your phone
Contact us
As a social enterprise, EcoChess values local stakeholders as key to scaling our mission. Partner with us as we work to build an international network of development partners, individuals and policymakers to create opportunity and tackle inequity.
- E-mailecochessinfo@gmail.com
- Social@ecochessworx
- DonateDonate now
Kijiji Solutions US is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. Donations are tax deductible under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3), EIN: 88-3547978. Copyright © 2026 Kijiji Solutions US. All Rights Reserved.