UPDATE: Skateistan
On Saturday (Sept. 8) morning a suicide attack hit Kabul, it was detonated in an area where many children work in the streets selling whatever they can to make a living for their families, not exactly a childhood if you ask me. 6 young people lost their lives that day, 4 of which were actively involved in the Skateistan program. What the fuck is wrong with our world?
In case you don't know about Skateistan I'll give you the low down, it is hands down the most inspiring organization I have ever come across. Their mission: To use skateboarding as a tool for empowerment, in a place it has never existed.. pretty sweet right? They are a non political, independent, non profit charity (yes that means they're not taking your money to make the charity's top dogs rich as balls) that offers skateboarding and educational programming to hard to reach kids in Afghanistan, Pakistan and most recently Cambodia. Participants are all between the ages of 5 - 18, are from different ethnicities, genders and social backgrounds, and more then half of these guys work in the streets.
They had their book launch at Antisocial skate shop last week. Pretty rad stuff, definately worth purchasing a copy of your own, or at least checking out Benny's review in Issue 10.3.
Since 2007, Skateistan has built a number of indoor and outdoor skate facilities as well as provided these kids with empowerment programs, cross cultural interaction, education and countless new opportunities. In the classrooms they're learning about leadership, creative arts, civic responsibility and whatever else the students themselves want to learn, completely free of any cost. An environment that breaks social barriers has been created, where participants can come together, have a voice, feel safe and do what we all love.. skate.
Wanna Donate? Get involved here.
