First Classes Begin

School is in session at Skateistan! Classes are broken up into groups that alternate daily between male and female students. Programming is divided equally between time in class and instruction in the skate park. Classes are participatory lessons that focus on teamwork, peace building, safety, English language, and more. Lectures are always taught by both a foreign and local teacher.

Skateistan wins the Peace and Sport NGO of the Year Award in Monaco

Skateistan has been given the award for best non-governmental organization of the year in Monaco by the Peace and Sport Forum. In the presence of H.S.H Prince Albert II, Skateistan Executive Director Oliver Percovich received the award from Peace and Sport Director and former world champion Joel Bouzou. The 3rd annual forum and award ceremony was organized by the “Organization for Peace through Sport.”

First international volunteers arrive

Skateistan’s first international volunteers arrived in Kabul early November. Sophie Friedel, from Germany, is a professional mountain boarder who will focus on working with our female students. She will be volunteering with Skateistan for a period of six months. US citizen Richard Mendez has also arrived and will be assisting Skateistan for one month.

SKATE HALL OPENING

After two years of working towards this goal, the Skateistan team is extremely pleased to announce the official opening of Kabul’s largest indoor sports facility and skate park at 2pm on the 29th of October. This milestone has been achieved through the collaborative efforts of an Afghan and international team.

Support from Strider

Young Strider saw a piece about Skateistan on CNN and was immediately fascinated “I did not know that kids like me skated in Afghanistan”. Driven by a wish to help these kids, he decided to raise money by running a lemonade stand outside his house. He discussed this idea with his parents and they encouraged him to put his idea to work. Strider set up his stand during Labour Day. He attached some information about Skateistan which explained to passers by what he was doing and at the end of the day he had raised a very respectable $18.50 from selling the lemonade.

Peace Day – “Bringing People Together”

Skateistan held its first celebration of International Peace Day on the 24th of September. Around 100 people gathered in the almost finished 1800 square metre skate facility to attend the event. Just as the slogan for the event, it attracted and brought together a wide diversity of people including the girls and boys that enjoy skateboarding, their parents, internationals working in Kabul and the Afghan and international press.

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