Skateistan
Surmounting barriers through skateboarding and creative education
Skateistan provides safe spaces for over 4,100 children - of which half are girls - in underserved communities, including conflict zones and refugee camps, to play, participate in non-formal and informal educational activities and creative and life skills classes.
Guided by skilled educational personnel, the participants in Skateistan’s activities make friends and build their confidence. For example, in the “Dropping In” programme, students participate in homework assistance and skateboarding sessions with their coaches. In the “Youth Leadership” programmes, students learn life skills and take part in career and education planning.
The Skate Schools are located in underserved areas, and 80% of Skateistan students come from low- income families. Many of the children have experienced violence in their communities. In many of the countries where Skateistan works, girls face particular barriers to access sport and life skills: Afghanistan is one example. In 2022, for the third year running, Skateistan ran the Global Girl Project programme at most of the Skate Schools, with cohorts of girls learning leadership skills and discussing how to create change in their community.
BTG has been partnering with Skateistan since 2021, supporting the Skate Schools in South Africa, Cambodia and Jordan, as well as emergency support for Afghanistan.
Key numbers
4,188 children reached by Skateistan in 2022, of which 50% girls, across 20 locations.
In 2022, a survey of 144 students across 14 locations revealed 85% of students felt safe at Skateistan, and felt active and vigorous during the past week.
83% had learnt new practical life skills at Skateistan, and 87% felt improved confidence since joining the programme.
87% believed they could attend university education after completing secondary school.
In 2022, 174 out of school girls aged 8-14 participated in Skateistan’s Back to School programme in Afghanistan.
For much of 2022, Skateistan Skate Schools in Afghanistan provided educational programs to 1725 children and youth, of which 51 % girls. Due to restrictions from the de facto government on female employment, toward the end of 2022, Skateistan had to switch to providing the programmes in Afghanistan remotely.
