First International Volunteers Arrive

Skateistan’s first international volunteers arrived in Kabul in 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 six months. US citizen Richard Mendez has also arrived and will be assisting Skateistan for one month. His focus is to instruct male students and keep the park’s equipment in order. Before joining Skateistan, he was working with disadvantaged kids in an Indian orphanage. After Sophie's first skate session with the Skateistan students at the brand new indoor park, the 25-year-old said “I didn’t expect them to be so good already. I’m really looking forward to helping them improve their skate and other skills throughout the next six months.”