International
What We Do
Although Skateistan began as an Afghan NGO, it has become a worldwide phenomenon, with hundreds of volunteers in over a dozen countries providing help with fundraising, legal, design, web and more. In 2011, Skateistan also began doing activities in countries outside of Afghanistan, so far in Cambodia. If you'd like to get involved with helping Skateistan from your own country check if there are others below that you can contact from your area. If you want to start fundraising in a country that isn't included on this page, or have a skateboarding-development project that needs support, please send an e-mail to info@skateistan.org.
Who We Are
Australia
 Voytek LapinskiVolunteer Online Developer With a background in internet development, Voytek helps Skateistan with the website backend and online infrastucture. He currently works in environmental policy and is studying social theory, anthropology, and development at the University of Melbourne, Australia. His skating is atrocious but he perseveres. Voytek can be contacted at voytek@skateistan.org |
Cambodia
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Cambodia Country Manager Benji has been working in Cambodia for over four years now as a public relations and events manager for a an international NGO working with street children. He graduated with a higher technical marketing degree in Toulouse, France, in 2001. He was the first to bring skateboarding to a Cambodian school, in 2011. Born in France, he has been skating in Marseille for 10 years. Benji can be contacted at: benjamin@skateistan.org or +855 (0) 77 367 227 |
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Sochada can be contacted at sochada.leng@skateistan.org or +855 (0) 89 751 434 |
See the full Cambodia team over at our Cambodia site.
Denmark
 Henrik Bjelke HansenDanish Representative Henrik got involved with Skateistan in 2008 when he was writing his master’s thesis in Afghanistan. Among other things he provided advice on organization, budgeting and strategy. He is currently based in Denmark where he has founded a national Skateistan entity that is organizing a series of grant-scale fundraising events (www.skateistan-cph10.dk). Henrik can be contacted at henrik@skateistan-cph10.dk or +45 22 37 30 40 |
France
 Simon LetellierFrench Representative Simon arrived in Afghanistan in February 2010 and worked as a volunteer with Skateistan for one year. Simon has worked as a journalist, publisher and art director for eight years in Paris, where he now lives again since leaving Kabul. His goal is to connect Western European media with Skateistan. He has been skating for over 15 years. Simon can be contacted at simon@skateistan.org |
Germany
 Alexandra BaldArt Director, Board of Directors, As Skateistan's most veteran volunteer, Alexandra is a Berlin-based designer who has created all of Skateistan’s publications and corporate design. She is also the co-editor of the international, award-winning Berlin Haushoch magazine. Alex can be contacted at design@skateistan.org or +49 162 130 66 19 |
 Markus Roman Board of Directors, Chairman Markus helped found the German Skateistan association in 2009 on the request of Skateistan's Deputy Director, Max Henninger. When Sonja Eller resigned in 2011 Markus took over as chairman in the German entity. As an online-journalist he helps to keep the German website alive. Markus can be contacted at markus@skateistan.org |
 Florian AuerWebmaster Florian is currently studying Information Technology at the DHBW Lörrach, and has completed training as a specialist for web application development. Apart from providing Skateistan with web assistance, he is part of the "Linux4Afrika" project and for the LinuxTag eV. Since 2009, he has volunteered as Skateistan's Webmaster. Florian can be contacted at florian@skateistan.or |
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Switzerland
 Joel SamesSwiss Representative Joel initiated the project Skate to Kabul with the goal of connecting Swiss youth with the kids of Skateistan. In autumn 2010 Joel spent six weeks in Kabul, working with the kids on the exchange and doing photography/video for Skateistan. Joel is studying interactionâmanagement / postâindustrial design at the University of Applied Science in Basel. Joel can be contacted about how to support Skateistan from Switzerland at joel@skateistan.org. |
United Kingdom
 Søren Vester HaldrupUK Representative Søren has been involved with Skateistan since 2009. In Denmark he helped coordinate the 2010 Copenhagen fundraiser that raised approximately 100,000 USD. He is currently living in London doing a masters degree in international relations and history at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Søren is also working on setting up a UK based entity of Skateistan. He visited Kabul in January 2011. Søren can be contacted at soren@skateistan.org. |
United States of America
 Kristoffer Nilaus TarpUS Board President Kristoffer became involved with Skateistan while working for the European Union in Afghanistan as a political advisor. He organized the incredibly successful fundraising event at the Copenhagen Skatepark in February this year that raised approximately $60,000 USD towards the building of our first facility. Kristoffer can be contacted at kristoffer@skateistan.org |
 Bryan RidgewayGlobal Skateboarding Advisor Bryan serves as Skateistan's Global Skateboarding Advisor, bringing his vast experience and connections in the world of skateboarding. His global business and marketing experience are an immense asset to the organization and in keeping it credible/authentic in the eyes and minds of skateboarders around the world. Bryan can be contacted at ridge@s2fconsulting.com |
 Niki WilliamsUS Board Member Niki is from Gary, Indiana, USA, and volunteered at Skateistan in Kabul from December 2010 until May 2011 as a teacher and Media Assistant. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Cinema & Television production and has lived in Los Angeles for the past 13 years working for companies such as DreamWorks SKG, and Nickelodeon/MTV Networks. She also started an organization that uses the filmmaking process as a form of art therapy. Niki can be contacted at niki@skateistan.org |
 Ray ThacherUS Board Member Profile coming soon. |
