rhianon's blog

Vote for Skateistan to Win Image of the Year

Submitted by rhianon on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 12:56

Skateistan has been nominated for the Peace and Sport Organization's Image of the Year and needs your help winning! Please take 10 seconds to vote for Skateistan's photo of Go Skateboarding Day 2011 before voting closes on October 7th. The competition rewards a photograph of fraternity in sport that has succeeded in integrating sport into the global agenda for peace.

The photograph that receives the most votes from the public will be designated the "Peace and Sport Image of the Year" and announced during the George Bertellotti Podiums d’Or evening at SPORTELMonaco on October 11, 2011.The competition is hosted by the prestigious Peace and Sport Organization, which awarded Skateistan with the "NGO of the Year" award in 2009.

Watch the Skateistan Climbing Video Here

Submitted by rhianon on Sun, 09/11/2011 - 10:37

A video about climbing activities at Skateistan has recently been completed, and shows the progress made so far in this new sport to Afghanistan. Teaching trust, confidence and problem-solving, climbing has fitted in perfectly with Skateistan's overall philosophy of trust-building, creativity, and empowerment for Afghan youth of all backgrounds.

Skateistan's climbing wall has been one of the most popular facilities at Skateistan, with dozens of students, local volunteers and staff taking part in various workshops and climbing sessions since it officially opened in late 2010. Climbing demos have been a part of semester events, and climbing lessons for both girls and boys are taught by experienced climbers on staff.

Afghanistan's landscape boasts many natural wonders to challenge rock climbers of all abilities, and with this in mind outings have taken place with staff and students. In spring 2011, young climbers and Skateistan skateboard instructors climbed a rock face in Istalif, notably Faranaz, 14, who was no doubt the first Afghan girl to do an outdoor climb in her country.

(To watch the film, click 'read more')

Shortlisted for Two 'Beyond Sport' Awards

Submitted by rhianon on Wed, 07/13/2011 - 08:57

Skateistan is very proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for two Beyond Sport Awards this year – both Sport for Education (sponsored by UNICEF) and Sport for Conflict Resolution. Beyond Sport is a "global organisation that promotes, develops and supports the use of sport to drive positive social change across the world". The awards are a chance to highlight the most innovative, standout case studies in sport and development each year. 

Skateistan was one of 35 projects worldwide shortlisted out of nearly 400 applications, and is one of only two projects shortlisted for two awards. While the field of sports and development was once the firm domain of football/soccer activities, the growth and diversity of effective sports projects shine through in this shortlist, which includes 22 different sports from 18 countries. 

By reaching this stage of the judging process, Skateistan has been invited to attend the third annual Beyond Sport Summit, taking place from December 5-8 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Summit and potential awards could provide Skateistan with some extremely useful support towards our goal of achieving donor independence and self-sustainability. The Beyond Sport press release explains:

Sports Floor Opening and Semester Celebration

Submitted by rhianon on Thu, 06/09/2011 - 10:30

Last month, Skateistan held an event to celebrate the end of a successful 5th semester and the opening of the new multi-sports floor. Thanks in part to a donation from Big Bang Ballers, who gave 1500 USD towards basketball equipment, Skateistan now has a wooden multi-sports floor where students will be able to play basketball, football (soccer), volleyball, badminton, and other indoor sports. President of the Afghan National Olympic Committee (ANOC), General Zahir Aghbar, led the ribbon cutting ceremony after giving a speech for the hundreds in attendance.

The event was packed with students, parents, local media and other supporters who came out to enjoy the celebration. The ceremonies began with the singing of Afghanistan’s National Anthem, sung by four of Skateistan’s own female students. After a few words from Skateistan founder and director, Oliver Percovich, a well-known Afghan comedian took the stage to help liven up the day. Niki Williams (who just finished a 6 month volunteer position in Kabul) also shared a short video about the 5th semester that students help put together for the event.

ACCL Hooks Up Guesthouse with Internet

Submitted by rhianon on Wed, 06/08/2011 - 09:51

Skateistan would like to thank ACCL International for providing the Skateistan guesthouse with internet – a rare commodity in Kabul. With satellite internet costing over $1,000 USD a month in Afghanistan, this is truly a generous gift for us here on the ground. Since 12-hour days at the skatepark aren’t enough for us already, the Skateistan team can now work more from home too!

It’s easy these days to take the internet for granted, especially if it costs $30 a month in your country, but in this modern era it would be impossible for Skateistan to operate without it. As our only real link to the rest of the world, ACCL’s internet connection is helping provide us with a vital tool for communication and interaction, and we’d like to thank them for their continued support. ACCL also constructed the 1,750 sq. meter Skateistan skatepark and educational facility in Kabul in 2009.

CPH 2011 Mega-Fun Fundraiser, Don't Miss It

Submitted by rhianon on Thu, 05/12/2011 - 14:52

Since 2009 Skateistan Denmark has hosted an annual fundraiser in Copenhagen to support Skateistan in Kabul. This year is no different, and a lot of new, exciting stuff has been added to the program. The two day event will be this weekend: Saturday, May 14th and Sunday, May 15th. The lineup includes DJs and live bands, clothing stalls, art exhibitions, food and drinks, and a skate contests. Both longtime and new Skateistan supporters can check out the Skateistan photo exhibition with facts on the history and happenings of Afghanistan's first skate school. There will definitely be something for everyone.

Out Now: Student Mag on Arts & Skateboarding

Submitted by rhianon on Sun, 05/08/2011 - 17:04

To showcase the work done in UNAMA-funded creative arts workshops at Skateistan, our students put together Pul Magazine, which includes words and artwork done by over 330 Skateistan students. The full PDF is available now. "Pul" means "bridge" in Dari, and the name was chosen because the publication will be printed and distributed to youth throughout Afghanistan, serving as a bridge between the ideas of kids in Kabul and of youth in other provinces.

Skateistan Gets Land in Mazar-e-Sharif

Submitted by rhianon on Thu, 05/05/2011 - 15:56

After months of planning, Skateistan has been donated a large plot of land in Mazar-e-Sharif, northern Afghanistan, to build its second facility. On May 2 Governor Atta Mohammed Noor of Balkh province and the Afghan National Olympic Committee (ANOC) donated the land, which is 3 jerib (6000 m2) and 4km from the centre of Mazar. The handover ceremony took place the following day, and plans are to break ground within a few weeks.

Safety first! TSG/Skateistan Gear Out Now

Submitted by rhianon on Mon, 05/02/2011 - 14:14

We are very happy to announce that TSG safety gear just released its Skateistan Charity Collection this spring! The helmets and protectors with a Skateistan-specific design were made to promote awareness of the Skateistan project. A fixed percentage of each item goes to support Skateistan's skateboarding and educational operations in Afghanistan. TSG has been a longtime Skateistan sponsor, providing all safety equipment at the Skateistan facility, which is used by over 350 students each week.

Skateistan Mural Brightens Historic Kabul

Submitted by rhianon on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 12:35

Skateistan's first outdoor art project took place recently at Murade Khane Primary school in one of Kabul's historic districts. A group of students and skate instructors from Skateistan worked with children in the area to undertake a mural depicting the Murade Khane area - with all of its stalls, people, mosques and everyday life. With Skateistan youth Merza, Noorzai, Noman and Khalid leading the project, several young students from the school stopped by to assist and to add extra features to the mural.