Our quartlerly newsletter for March 2013 is out, full of stories from the kids, updates and photos. Check it out here and subscribe!

Over the next few months we'll be releasing selected excerpts from our recently published book, Skateistan: The Tale of Skateboarding in Afghanistan. In our first excerpt we share a profile with one of our longtime students and now volunteer skate teacher, Tamana. The interview was done when she was eight years old and gives a unique look into the daily life and reflections of an Afghan girl, who also happens to be one of Afghanistan's first skateboarders.

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

Do you have the skills and passion to join our team?

Skateistan is currently seeking volunteers for three positions:

• Office Intern (Berlin-based, 6 months)
• Dari-English translator (Remote volunteer)
• Khmer-English translator (Remote volunteer)

Skateistan began as a Kabul-based Afghan NGO, and now operates projects in Afghanistan and Cambodia. Skateistan focuses on reaching out to girls and working children, using skateboarding as a tool for developing leadership opportunities, and building friendship, trust, and social capital among its students. Across its programs worldwide, Skateistan works with nearly 600 youth each week, and has registered over 2000 students since 2007.

We also have an extensive international network of groups in other countries supporting our project. Skateistan has over 250 volunteers in 13 countries assisting our programs. It is these volunteer positions that have fueled the growth of our programs, and they are an essential part of the work that we have accomplished thus far. To see other vacancies and find out about becoming a project volunteer click here. 

Skateistan student and teacher Madina, age 14, speaks to Afghan Parliament about the issues identified in the Children's Shura last week.

Fourteen-year-old Madina Saidy grew up selling trinkets on the streets of Kabul to support her mother and younger siblings. Now, she is a youth leader at Skateistan and a role model to hundreds of Afghan youth each week in the classes she teaches. Just a teenager herself, Madina has accomplished more than most people hope to their whole lives.

On Saturday March 9, she was selected to speak at the 3rd Annual Children's National Assembly, which took place at Afghanistan's Parliament building in Kabul, to present the issues facing Afghan youth to over 100 members of government.