Your Questions

How do youth benefit from skateboarding?

Skateboarding is a non-competitive global sport requiring minimal supervision and resources. Achievements in skateboarding are individual and depend on balance, creativity, and personal expression. Skating can be practiced anywhere there is a smooth surface; it brings young people together to be active and communicative.

What are the benefits of skateboarding in Afghanistan?

Skateboarding is a widely-loved platform through which young men and women from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds can engage positively with each other. Considering the country’s recent political history — not to mention its longstanding social barriers — Skateistan believes that the community-building effects of skateboarding will be especially visible in Afghanistan. Operating as an Afghan NGO, Skateistan builds cross-cultural understanding and develops youth confidence, leadership, and life skills.

Girls and boys in equal numbers come to skate at the indoor skatepark facility in Kabul. Many popular Afghan sports — football, volleyball, buzkashi, kite-flying, and bodybuilding — are seen as male activities, and females are almost always excluded from participating in them. Afghan culture does not even allow women to ride bicycles. Thankfully, Afghans largely consider skateboarding a suitable activity for girls: Skateistan has a large number of enthusiastic young women attending skateboard lessons.

Why are youth participation and leadership important?

With 68% of the population under the age of 25 (and 50% under the age of 16), it is vital that development efforts in Afghanistan engage with youth immediately. Only then will Afghanistan’s youngest citizens be able to claim ownership over the problems they will soon inherit. Skateistan provides a safe and supportive environment where trust is built not only between participants, but that reaches across the Afghan-Western divide. The NGO is also developing the students’ abilities to express their opinions on the issues that concern them, enabling them to fulfill their visions for the future of their country. It empowers students to find solutions to the problems they face through social asset-building activities and youth development forums; it also broadcasts their voices (with the consent of their parents and communities) over the radio, in documentaries, and in print media.

Was the community involved during construction of the Skateistan Park?

Yes. Involving the local community was important for consent; Skateistan makes great efforts to operate in a culturally-sensitive and appropriate manner. In Australia, Europe, and the United States, it is common for local government, youth, parents, and community groups to work together to build safe, supervised, and youth-friendly skateboarding facilities. The NGO has duplicated that process in Afghanistan.

Can girls participate in the school?

Absolutely. Getting girls on a skateboard has been a priority since Skateistan's very beginning. However, the NGO acknowledges that there are many obstacles to teaching females — and that is why it holds the support of the parents, local community and government in such high regard. Half of Skateistan's students are female, giving Afghanistan the highest rate of female participation in skateboarding out of any country in the world.

Can people with disabilities participate?

Yes. Skateistan works with disabled and visually-challenged Afghans. The NGO has developed a specialised curriculum for physically disabled youth that uses skateboarding to provide mobility and sports therapy.

Are the students safe?

Skateistan's students skate in a supervised and secure private facility that is built and run with community consent; skateboarding activities are kept off the streets of Kabul as much as possible. The NGO's management is in regular communication with ANSO (Afghanistan NGO Safety Organisation), as well as with government and local community leaders, so that it receives regular security updates and conducts its activities safely.

Does the school provide free tuition?

Yes: this is essential, as most participants in the school cannot afford to pay for lessons. There are absolutely no costs incurred by students for any activities at the school, for example, all materials needed in the skatepark or the classroom are provided to students by the NGO. Additionally, Skateistan arranges transport for the students to make it easier for them to attend.