Skateistan

Skateistan is an award-winning international non-profit organization empowering children through skateboarding and education in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa. Through our innovative programs, we aim to give young people the opportunity to become leaders for a better world. They are also excluded from sports and education, such as girls, children living with disabilities and those from minority groups. 

At Skateistan, we believe that every child should have access to the educational and recreational activities that make it enjoyable. But many children are missing out on the childhood they deserve. Poverty, conflict and danger are realities for many communities in which we work. In these contexts, it's difficult for children's voices to be heard and for their physical and mental wellbeing to be prioritized. 

Skateistan runs skate schools in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa which combines the fun and freedom of skateboarding with the children's chance to explore their creative talents and interests. We believe that education is the best way to empower children so they can become leaders in their own communities. Through skateboarding, our students learn lessons. Skateboarding teaches creativity, resilience and determination. 

By offering our programs to children from all walks of life, we help them break the social barriers and show them how to be happy. Over 50% of our students are 78% are from low income backgrounds. We work with over 160 children with disabilities and over 70 internally displaced children. 

In 2018 we want to celebrate our 10th birthday. From a few girls on skateboards in Kabul, skate has grown to be an international NGO with over 2,000 active students in three countries. We want to keep growing so that more children can become empowered through education and skateboarding.