Foreword by Tim Crothers, author of The Queen of Katwe

Author Robert Katende's story is an astonishing true story of resilience and hope. Robert's work was made famous in the Disney movie The Queen of Katwe, a biographical drama about a thirteen-year-old girl who became a Uganda national chess champion under Robert's mentorship. Now readers can enjoy the story of how it all started.

This is the immersive story of a war refugee turned missionary, who is living the improbable dream to empower kids in Ugandan slums through chess--a game so foreign that there is no word for it in their native language. You will read of children who first came to Robert Katende's school for a free meal of porridge, then grew to love the game of chess and ultimately go to college in the United States to study medicine.

Katende's life illuminates a situation many will find difficult to imagine, being raised without parents in a Ugandan slum. His story tells of overcoming the odds in his life, followed by the stories of his students who share how he has radically impacted their lives. Katende's story is one of hope where there is none. His work has started a movement which has caught the attention of world leaders Bill and Melinda Gates and the Obama Foundation.