Kabul

In the summer of 2010, Faranaz was chosen to take part in a Skateistan photojournalism project called 'Through My Eyes'. This gave her a voice, which she used to talk about her past and present home life outside of Skateistan. In the summer of 2011, one year after this film project was completed, Faranaz left Kabul permanently, when her family made the move north to a village near Mazar-e-Sharif at the insistence of her older brother. By January 2012 she was engaged. The 'Through My Eyes' project gives a glimpse into her life, as a 13-year-old girl living in Kabul. It is at once a very personal story, and one that contains shadows of the lives of millions of other young women living in Afghanistan today.

Drawing from the ‘Through my eyes’ project and personal interviews, Faranaz’s story is shared at greater length in the Skateistan book ‘Skateistan – The Tale of Skateboarding in Afghanistan’.

Purchase your own copy now on Amazon, with 100% of profits going to Skateistan's programming for youth in Afghanistan and Cambodia.

Skateistan is proud to announce the success of our 2012/2013 Back to School (BTS) students in Kabul. After one year of accelerated studying at Skateistan, this year 38 students have successfully passed their tests and joined Afghan public school last month, including 50% girls. None of the BTS students had previously attended public school.

Kabul, Afghanistan, and had the rare opportunity to not only discuss the challenges facing the country's youth (as their own representatives!) but also have the issues addressed by members of government.

In Afghanistan, a "Shura" is a decision-making council which usually includes community leaders and elders. The Children's Shura is an annual, week-long event that gives a voice to the youth, and a direct link to parliament. It is organized each year by the Mobile Mini Circus for Children NGO and includes nearly 150 children from nine provinces, as well as NGOs working with children, and children living in IDP/refugee camps.

Skateistan in Photos: After the days skate training a young student works hard on his balance. Eyes down and mind focused.