On Campus

Teaching Afghan kids to skateboard

Is this the coolest charity ever?

Skateistan isn’t your typical non-profit. The charity provides free skateboarding lessons to kids aged five to 18 in Afghanistan, Cambodia and Pakistan. It started in 2007 when Australian skateboarder Oliver Percovich dropped his board in Kabul and “was surrounded by the eager faces of children of all ages who wanted to be shown how to skate.” In 2009, Skateistan completed its first indoor skatepark where youth of different backgrounds learn new tricks—together. In a place troubled by gender inequality and ethnic tensions, that’s important work. Check out their shots:

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