Tragedy in Kabul

Submitted by brandon on Sun, 12/11/2011 - 03:18

Tamima (in purple) - one of the Skateistan girls injured in the attack.

While Skateistan strives to tell a positive story about Afghanistan, it's also important for people to understand the trauma children face in order to fully appreciate their inspiring resilience and optimism.
 
On December 6th Kabul witnessed another tragic suicide attack - this time targeting the religious Ashura celebrations. Four girls who attend Skateistan were seriously injured and another four former female students died in the attacks. While Skateistan operates amidst conflict and crisis, this is the first time our students have been hurt. 
 
No words can describe the sorrow and despair our teachers, staff and students experience these days. But we also know that keeping the skatepark and school open remains a light in the dark for more than 300 other kids and youth.
 

Philly Skate Jam Fundraiser this Saturday

Submitted by rhianon on Sat, 11/19/2011 - 18:28

Skateistan volunteer Brandon Gomez, who was just in Kabul for six months working with the project, is holding a Skate Jam fundraiser today (Saturday November 19th) in the Philadelphia area at West Goshen skatepark (Wawa). Proceeds from this event will be going towards building the first outdoor, concrete skatepark in Kabul, Afghanistan!

The Skate Jam fundraiser's not only for skaters, so feel free to come out with your friends and family to hang out. There will be food and drinks, entertainment, a bonfire with s'mores and other goods to be sold and won so please come out and support or donate for this great cause. Brandon's brother and co-organizer, Frankie Gomez says "you are helping with every penny!"

Signups for the competitions will begin around 12:00 and comps will start at 2:00 and end around 4:00. They'll also have raffles for all sorts of items so if you're in the area be sure to stop by. Check out more info on the DIY skatepark in Kabul on Crowdrise.

If you can't make this event be sure to check back to the Skateistan US blog for more fundraising events around the country.

Skateistan in action!

Submitted by rhianon on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 15:19

It’s been a busy period for the media department Skateistan in Kabul but we hope you’ll agree that it’s been worth it...

First, we look back to June 21st of this year, when Afghan youth took the streets of Kabul to celebrate Go Skateboarding Day, at the same time as thousands of other skaters around the world.

Next, Skateistan compiled a video of the highlights of Semester 6, which ran from June to August. So much happened during this time that it was impossible to include everything. Never fear though because the result is a high-speed look at our core activities and all sorts of other happy random moments that go into making a typical, action-packed semester at the park in Kabul.

If you like what you see, please take a minute to share these videos across your social media and to leave feedback. Skateistan is a grassroots project, which relies on the support of individuals like you to spread word of our exciting news and developments across the globe. You can also find Skateistan on Facebook and Twitter. If you have some spare pennies, donations are always welcome and appreciated.

Help raise $5,000 for DIY concrete park

Submitted by rhianon on Wed, 10/05/2011 - 14:33

The USA has a long tradition of some of the best DIY (Do-It-Yourself) concrete skateparks in the whole world like Burnside in Portland and FDR in Philadelphia. Now, the Skateistan NGO in Afghanistan wants to add an outdoor skate area for its students in Kabul and needs your help. The plan is to construct a DIY 350 sq meter concrete skatepark directly behind Skateistan's indoor skatepark facility. This will be the first concrete skatepark in Kabul. High fencing around the property will also allow the girls of Skateistan a rare opportunity to skate outside in privacy.

Donate on Crowdrise: http://www.crowdrise.com/diyskateparkkabul/fundraiser/skateistan (no need to register!)

US PREMIERE: Murza & The Chicken

Submitted by rhianon on Sat, 09/03/2011 - 16:06

Murza & The Chicken from Skateistan on Vimeo.

Question: What do you get when you take a chicken, Murza, and a crew of Skateistan students around the skatepark?  Answer: A hilarious film written, directed, and edited by our amazing students, that's what!  This semester, the Wednesday AM Film class produced this hilarious short called MURZA AND THE CHICKEN and we're so excited to share it! During a jam-packed twelve weeks, the class worked as a team, learning tons, and accomplishing their goal.   We gave the students the tools, let them loose around the skatepark and told them they could tell any story they wanted. Murza and the Chicken is the result of their excitement and hard work, and we're very proud of them.

The Fallen Skateistan Shoes Now Available!

Submitted by niki on Sun, 06/26/2011 - 11:09

Many you have been asking about  where to find some of the lastest Skateistan gear.  Well, we are very excited to announce that Fallen has just released new shoes to support our cause.

Go Skate Day A Total Success in Kabul

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 06/23/2011 - 08:32

On June 21st, Skateistan held its 3rd annual Go Skateboarding Day event.  This year 180 kids took part - skating across the streets of Kabul in an amazing display of excitment, togetherness, and sport.  Go Skateboarding Day is an international holiday dedicated to celebration of the sport around the globe.  As Skateistan students first trickled, then poured out of the park gates and on to the road, bursting through the attendant ranks of photographers, officials and police, nothing could have stopped them.

Some skated, some sat and were pushed by a friend and others ran, awaiting their turn. Regardless of how they handled the 1.6km route, they smiled and laughed all the way. It was difficult to tell what surprised onlookers more, the magical wheeled boards or simply the speeding clusters of boys and girls dressed in flowing, coloured rainbows of Afghan clothing. Gentle nods sent the happy spectacle on its way, as life returned to normal in its wake. Click below for more photos and links...

Check Out Go Skate Kabul '11 on Skype!

Submitted by niki on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 03:06

Did you know that June 21st is worldwide Go Skateboarding Day?  Skateistan Afghan Skate School is organizing its 3rd annual Go Skateboarding Day Kabul, the only event of its kind in Afghanistan. Skateistan will take over the streets of Kabul to promote their cause and show the world how great their students are.  If you've seen any of the pictures from year's past, you'd know that it's an amazing day where girls, boys, men, and women gather together to celebrate skateboarding. 

The kids of Skateistan will take to the streets, doing a loop from the Skateistan park through some of the city’s oldest districts. Participants will celebrate the day by wearing traditional clothing while they represent the Afghan skate scene to the world: shalwar camises for boys and brightly coloured celebration clothes for the girls.

Semester 5 Ends With a Bang!

Submitted by niki on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 00:39

Semester 5 Open Day from Skateistan on Vimeo.

Check out the end of semester video / slideshow that shows off all the work the kids in Kabul accomplished over the past 12 weeks.  This semester's topic was: CULTURE.  Students were excited to show off all the things that they loved about being Afghan to the international staff. 

Skateistan Short Chosen For RSSF 2011

Submitted by niki on Mon, 06/13/2011 - 00:16

RSSF We are pleased to announce that Grain Media's film,  Skateistan: To Live And Skate Kabul, has been chosen to be featured in the Rushes Soho Shorts Festival in London.  The film will be shown alongside some amazing short films and we are excited to be part of the festival.