Afghanistan

What We Do

Skateistan is Afghanistan’s—and the world’s—first co-educational skateboarding school. Operating as an independent, neutral, Afghan NGO, the school engages growing numbers of urban and internally-displaced youth in Afghanistan through skateboarding, and provides them with new opportunities in cross-cultural interaction, education, and personal empowerment. Skateistan's students come from all of Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. They not only develop skills in skateboarding and skateboarding instruction, but also healthy habits, civic responsibility, information technology, the arts, and languages. The students themselves decide what they want to learn—we connect them with teachers who will enable them to develop the skills that they consider important. Since Skateistan has been active in Kabul, we’ve seen that Afghan youth of all ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds love to skateboard. Skateistan brings them together, equipping young men and women with the skills to lead their communities toward social change and development.

Who We Are

Team Afghanistan (HQ)

Oliver Percovich Founder & Executive Director Oliver Percovich first skated in an empty pool at the age of six, while growing up in Papua New Guinea. In 1995 he competed in the Mystic Cup, an international skateboarding contest in Prague. He's worked at the Center for Risk and Community Safety on emergency management projects for various Australian government departments. He came to Kabul in February 2007, bringing his skateboards with him. Oliver is Kabul-based and can be contacted at oliver@skateistan.org or +93 796 571 356

Max Henninger Deputy Director Max has been working in Afghanistan for more than three years as a public relations advisor in international development. A graduated journalist who specialized in public relations for non-profit organizations, his focus is now on linking Skateistan to a worldwide audience. Max has been skating for over 15 years. Max can be contacted at max@skateistan.org or +93 (0) 771 243 537 (AFG), +49 (0) 151 235 395 75 (GER)

Abdul Qudos Amini Operations Manager Abdul was born in Pakistan and grew up in the Jowzjan province of Afghanistan. He recently acquired his Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) from the National Institute of Management and Administration in Kabul. He began volunteering with Skateistan in December 2009 and now works as our Operations Manager. Abdul can be contacted at abdul@skateistan.org or +93 796 292 012

Brandon Gomez Executive Assistant and International HR Brandon Gomez started skateboarding 11 years ago. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he earned a B.S. in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and recently finished his graduate coursework at Syracuse University. He has also worked with children of all ages for years. He hopes to use his background and experience to help push the students both in the skatepark and the classroom.   Brandon can be contacted at brandon@skateistan.org

Rhianon Bader Media & Communications, International Instructor Rhianon arrived at Skateistan as a volunteer in May 2010 and is currently working as the media coordinator and as a classroom/skateboarding instructor. She has spent several years as a magazine writer, copy editor and freelance journalist in Vancouver, Canada. She holds a diploma in Journalism, a B.A. in Political Science with International Relations (Hons.), and has been a skateboarder for over 12 years. Rhianon can be contacted at rhianon@skateistan.org or +93 789 122 064

Hiranya de Alwis Jayasinghe Financial Officer and Accountant Hiranya de Alwis Jayasinghe first stumbled across Skateistan after typing “climbing wall” and “Kabul” into Google.  An addicted climber, she was excited by the new climbing facility, and a role that married her profession as a Chartered Accountant, degree in Development Economics, as well as interests in education, gender, peace-building and children’s work.  She arrived at Skateistan in August 2011 and is now learning to skate! Hiranya can be contacted at hiranya@skateistan.org

Benafsha Tasmim Education Coordinator Benafsha was born in Kabul and graduated from Psychology and Educational Sciences at Kabul University in 2009. Before joining Skateistan, she used her therapy skills while working for several Afghan women's and children’s organizations. Benafsha’s love of children brought her to Skateistan, and she enjoys being able to use her knowledge to enhance their educational experience. She especially enjoys learning to skate alongside the kids of Skateistan. Benafsha can be contacted at benafsha@skateistan.org

Khalid Sarwar Skateboarding & Sports Coordinator Khalid grew up in Ottawa, Canada, for 14 years but is originally from Afghanistan. He returned to Afghanistan in 2010. He now manages the skateboarding and sports programming in Kabul, and handles equipment maintenance. He also creates skateboard lesson plans for the students. Khalid has been skateboarding for over eight years and is keen on pushing all the Afghan skaters to new heights.   Khalid can be contacted at khalid@skateistan.org

Fatima Timar Student Support Officer Fatima was born in Kabul on December 3, 1963 and has lived there all her life. She completed grade 12 at Inqlab high school. Fatima has worked as a teacher since 2003 and was hired in May 2011 as Skateistan's Student Support Officer. She recruits, registers, teaches, and supervises Skateistan's students. She is the family and community liaison. She says "I feel very comfortable with Skateistan, and with the job I have I am also trying to help the poor kids so I am always in touch with their families." Fatima can be contacted at +93 774 713 195

Merza Mohammadi Maintenance Manager and Skate Instructor Merza has been skateboarding for nearly three years and is now one of Afghanistan’s most talented skaters. He’s been working at the Skateistan park as a skate instructor and since January 2010 and became the maintenance manager in summer 2011. He comes from Shamoli, Afghanistan.

Fazila Shirindel Skate Instructor and Maintenance Crew Fazila (left of photo) is one of Afghanistan's best female skateboarders and the head female skate teacher at the Kabul facility. She is a Skateistan veteran, starting out in 2008 and progressing ever since. Fazila's family fled her hometown of Jalalabad in 2001, eventually ending up in Kabul as refugees. She hopes to be the director of Skateistan one day and is a top student at school.

Noorzai Ibrahimi Skate Instructor and Maintenance Crew Noorzai first started skating nearly three years ago at Mekroyan fountain. He now has the best kickflip in Kabul and spends his days working as a skate instructor and helping with skatepark maintenance. Before becoming employed in July 2010, he volunteered regularly and says his favourite things about Skateistan are the atmosphere and the friendly people. Noorzai was born in the Kapisa province of Afghanistan.

Mariam Stanekzai Translator Mariam has been volunteering as a translator for the girls' classes and skate sessions since March 2010, and has been a Skateistan student since late 2009. Besides being a rad skater, she is a first year Civil Engineering student at Kabul University and is one of only three women in the 200 student program.

James Dennes Skateboard Instructor and Software Developer James is a skateboarder from Sydney, Australia who's currently in Kabul as skateboard instructor with Skateistan. James studied software engineering, and has since worked on various software development projects, including an AYAD assignment in Fiji. In addition to instructing, James is also using his skills and experience to help Skateistan with various web, software, and IT-related things.