skateistan

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Contact Malcolm at malcolm.mcinerney@thebartonsc.sa.edu.au

Skateistan: To Live And Skate Kabul 

The Skateistan initiative is a great example of several people making a real difference and breaking down barriers in regards to some basic Human Rights. The right of girls to participate in society and everyone to have fun and access to a group activity and sport.

Skateistan is an international non-governmental organization founded by Australia Oliver Percovich that works with youth from a range of ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds to build trust and to provide empowerment through a combination of skateboarding and educational activities. It was established in May 2007 with the opening of the first Skateistan facility in Kabul, Afghanistan. It has since expanded, with project sites in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Johannesburg, South Africa. he idea of Skateistan began in 2007 when Percovich arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan, with three skateboards and quickly met a group of local boys and girls eager to learn how to skate. What began as informal skateboarding lessons at a local empty fountain turned into something much bigger. Percovich perceived the lack of opportunities for young Afghans, especially girls, and realized that skateboarding was a way to engage them and build community. Skateistan took shape in the following years, with the help of international donors and skateboard industry partners. It was officially registered as an Afghan NGO in July 2009.
On October 29, 2009, the 1750m2 Skateistan park officially opened, giving boys and girls in Kabul a secure environment and an indoor skatepark to come to every week.

Here are some background videos on this amazing initiative: 

 Background to Skateistan 

A girls story 

Promoting Skateistan 

Making Skateistan  

Madina's story

Girl skaters in Afghanistan  

Update in Afghanistan

In Cambodia 

Making a park in Cambodia