Skateistan began as a Kabul-based Afghan NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) and is now an International non-profit charity providing skateboarding and educational programming in Afghanistan and Cambodia. Skateistan is non-political, independent, and inclusive of all ethnicities, religions and social backgrounds.
Skateistan aims to always be a unique social project with quality.
- We work with youth ages 5-18.
- Over 50% of our students are streetworking children.
- Nearly 40% of our students are girls.
MISSION STATEMENT
We use skateboarding as a tool for empowering youth, to create new opportunities and the potential for change.
VISION
To grow a sustainable organization that is recognized locally & globally for changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth through skateboarding and quality programmes – creating leaders that change the world.
VALUES
quality. ownership. creativity. trust. respect. equality.
WHAT WE DO:
- provide access to education
- focus especially on girls and working children
- develop leadership opportunities
- build friendship, trust, and social capital
SKATEBOARDING IN AFGHANISTAN?
Absolutely. As soon as Australian skateboarder Oliver Percovich dropped his board in Kabul in 2007, he was surrounded by the eager faces of children of all ages who wanted to be shown how to skate. Stretching out the three boards he and a former girlfriend/aidworker had brought with them, "Ollie" began dedicating himself to the creation of a small skate school in Afghanistan.
A group of Afghan friends (aged 18-22) who were naturals at skateboarding shared the three boards and quickly progressed in their new favourite sport—and so skateboarding hit Afghanistan. The success with the first students prompted Ollie to think bigger: by bringing more boards back to Kabul and establishing an indoor skateboarding venue, the program would be able to teach many more youth, and also be able to provide older girls with a private facility to continue skateboarding.
On October 29, 2009, Skateistan completed construction of an all-inclusive skatepark and educational facility on 5428 square meters of land donated by the Afghan National Olympic Committee. The indoor section was graciously built by IOU Ramps.
Skateistan has emerged as Afghanistan’s first skateboarding school, and is dedicated to teaching both male and female students. It aims to build indoor and outdoor skateboarding facilities in which youth can come together to skateboard: here, they forge bonds that transcend social barriers. Here, they’re enabled to affect change on issues that are important to them.
BEYOND SKATEBOARDING
CURRENT PROJECTS
- Skateistan Kabul (2007-present)
- Skateistan Pakistan (street sessions only, August 2010-present)
- Skateistan Cambodia (March 2011-present, 2 facilities)
- Skateistan Mazar-e-Sharif (Opening: 2013)
ORIGINAL MEMBERS
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Oliver Percovich Founder & Executive Director 2007 - present Oliver Percovich came to Kabul in February 2007, bringing his skateboards with him. Since early 2008 he has worked full-time in Afghanistan to establish and build the Afghan NGO Skateistan and several related entities/projects worldwide. Oliver has created the organizational vision and handles major donor relations, worldwide management of projects and policies, and represents Skateistan in frequent media interviews, presentations and conferences. Oliver is Kabul-based and can be contacted at oliver@skateistan.org or +93 796 571 356 |
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Max Henninger Former Deputy Director March 2008 - March 2012 Max Henninger initially started as a volunteer for Skateistan, helping with media relations and administration in the project's early days. He began full-time as the Media & Communications Director in January 2009 and spent the following two years working alongside Oliver and Shams in Afghanistan, eventually becoming Deputy Director. Max has since moved on from the project to be with his family in Southern Germany. His skills and longterm commitment were essential to the NGO's worldwide recognition and success. |
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Shams Razi Former Afghan Country Manager March 2007 - October 2011 Shams Razi was one of the very first skateboarders in Afghanistan, being among the first group who spent afternoons skating with Oliver. Shams was involved for a year as an occasional volunteer and came on as a full-time employee in mid-2008. He worked his way up from being a fixer and translator to the first Afghan Country Manager. In late 2011 Shams got his long-awaited Visa for Australia where he is now studying Computer Science. Shams was involved in Skateistan through many ups and downs, and his skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, and logistics were an enormous asset to Skateistan. |
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Sharna Nolan Former Project Officer January 2008 - March 2010 (part-time volunteer) Sharna Nolan was involved in Skateistan at various points between 2008 and 2010, and also participated in some initial skateboard sessions in 2007 in Kabul, where she was working at the time. She provided periodic volunteer assistance from her home in Australia with proposal writing and outreach for the project, and assisted on the ground for approximately three months. Sharna also came to Afghanistan on two occasions to participate in documentaries about Skateistan: for two weeks to take part in the filming of "Four Wheels and a Board in Kabul" and again while "To Live and Skate Kabul" was filmed in January 2010. She has not been involved in Skateistan since March 2010. |