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Skateistan

APF2015_Jessica-Fulton-Dobson_Skateistan01
Paballo Thesiko, Rudi Jeggle,
Jessica Fulton-Dobson, Sam Jam
Afghanistan, Cambodia, South Africa  skateistan.org

Skateistan is an award-winning international NGO that uses skateboarding as a tool for empowering youth, to create new opportunities and the potential for change. Located in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa, Skateistan is the first international development initiative to combine skateboarding with educational outcomes. The NGO focuses on at-risk youth ages 5-18. Over 40% of Skateistan students are girls. Over 50% of Skateistan students are street working children. Skateboarding is ‘the hook’ that is combined with programming such as arts-based education classes, a Back-to-School program, a Street Outreach program and a Youth Leadership program. The project started in 2007 and Skateistan currently works with over 1,200 youths weekly. Supporters include the Tony Hawk Foundation and the governments of Germany, Denmark, Finland and Switzerland.