Skating for empowerment

First came the skateboards, then came the cameras, and since, the youth – some of the most hard-to-reach and underprivileged kids in the world – of Afghanistan haven’t looked back. Courtesy of Skateistan, the non-political, all-inclusive, not-for-profit organisation who has successfully opened a string of skateboarding schools – including sites in Cambodia and South Africa – mixing education and sport by introducing kids to the wonders of four wheels. “Skateistan's special because it's a unique, safe place for learning and play, where students are valued as individuals and taught trust and respect,” says the organisation’s founder, Australian skater Oliver “Ollie” Percovich. “This is especially important for girls, who have so few opportunities to express themselves and communicate freely, especially in Afghanistan.”

Back in 2010, Dazed teamed up with Skateistan to create a film for Diesel New Voices, directed by Orlando von Einsiedel, the film went on to be shortlisted for the 2012 Vimeo Awards. A couple of years later, in 2012, we checked back in ahead of the launch of their book Skateistan: The Tale of Skateboarding in Afghanistan, and now Skateistan are back with a brand new project. By using the boards as a method to push education, create opportunities and encourage socialising, the organisation teamed up with camera gurus Impossible to launch the Skateistan x Impossible film project. The latter, donating cameras and rolls of film for the kids to document their experiences with the sport. The resulting images are refreshing, positive, innocent and bound to put a smile on your face. Below, we catch up with Percovich to find out what makes him proud and what he’s got planned next.

How important  is Skateistan for the kids who are actively participating in it, as well as for the areas in general?

Oliver “Ollie” Percovich: Coming to Skateistan might be the only chance for some of our students to do a sport, do creative arts, or have a positive education experience. They also get to have lots of fun and make friends as part of a youth community built through a shared love of skateboarding. We focus on the most underprivileged, hard-to-reach youth, such as girls and working children, but our programs are actually open to kids from all backgrounds.

What’s next for Skateistan?

Oliver “Ollie” Percovich: I came to Afghanistan in 2007, I was excited by the country, the prospect of learning through living there was powerful. I wasn’t ever really thinking about starting a social project, let alone a skateboarding project. But in the past three years, Skateistan has expanded into Northern Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa, so for the near future, we want to concentrate on building up our four facilities and continue to solidify our education and creative arts programs – our biggest goal is to use skateboarding to connect children and youth with educational opportunities. The idea of Skateistan is that the students who have gone through the program will eventually be the people who will take ownership and lead the expansion of Skateistan through their firsthand experience of the skills and opportunities – this has already happened at our first site in Kabul and we can’t wait to watch it unfold at the newer projects. 

Could you tell us a moment that you’re most proud of from the Skateistan journey?

Oliver “Ollie” Percovich: I’m most proud of all of the kids who have gone from being students to teachers in Afghanistan and Cambodia. There’s been dozens of them since 2007, and quite a few are even taking on management roles now at Skateistan – which I never would have imagined. I think this kind of progress is especially amazing for the Afghan girls.

One of the girls that works with us now in Kabul is Hanifa, who’s 15-years old. She first joined as a student when she was 10 or 11, and was this little tomboy who sold tea, along with her younger sister Shogufa. She was working so much that she ended up with a really low education, but almost always came for skating. After awhile she became a volunteer teacher and was a really good instructor, with other kids looking up to her. That made her really proud and was something she could succeed at when there were other things she struggled with. Over the years Hanifa kept coming to Skateistan because she loved skating, and in 2012 started getting paid to teach, which means she doesn’t have to work outside anymore and is able to be in a safe place.

Keep an eye out for an upcomng film from the Skateistan x Impossible film project, which will see a portion of the proceeds from each film package benefit Skateistan’s programs internationally. To find out more information click here, or to donate now, click here.