Skateistan has recently started running programs in four brand new locations, including its first project in the Middle East (Jordan) and South America (Bolivia). The expansion is marked by a new campaign, called ‘A New Chapter’ in which Skateistan aims to raise $1.5million. This will allow the NGO to operate in 20 locations by the end of 2022, reaching 4,500 students each week. Programs are also due to begin this week in refugee camps, as Skateistan strives to continue working with the Afghan community.
As well as Jordan and Bolivia, Skateistan has also started running programs in Kenya (Kibera, Nairobi) and Atlantis, (Western Cape, South Africa). Skateistan is working in partnership with other NGOs to successfully deliver its programs in these new locations: 7Hills (Jordan), Project Elimu (Kenya) and Ayni Skate Project (Bolivia). The new project in Atlantis is managed by Skateistan’s existing Skate School in Johannesburg. Programs continue to run in Johannesburg and Phnom Penh (Cambodia) where Skateistan has Skate Schools.
The NGO, which was founded in Kabul in 2008, took the decision to suspend its Afghan programs back in early August as it became clear that a change of regime in Afghanistan was becoming more likely. Following the suspension of programs, Skateistan supported its Afghan staff to make their own decisions and many of the team members have now left the country. This dramatic turn of events forced the organization to review its model and to explore ways in which it could expand faster.
One aspect of this will be running skate programs in refugee camps. As many Skateistan staff from Afghanistan are now refugees, they have an opportunity to continue serving the Afghan community within the camps. Programs began this week in the US and are expected to start soon in Belgium.
Skateistan Founder and Executive Director, Oliver Percovich said: “It’s been an incredibly tough year for Skateistan, beginning with Covid restrictions and then facing the suspension of programs in Afghanistan. But we’re determined to use this challenge as a chance to rebuild, expand and experiment with new models. We know there are children all over the world who need our programs. This is truly a new chapter for us, but we firmly believe that it could be the start of something amazing – a bigger, better Skateistan which helps more children. We need people to support us in this journey.”
Skateistan has launched a campaign called ‘A New Chapter’ to support the proposed expansion. The charity aims to raise $1.5 million by Spring 2022, by far their most ambitious fundraiser to date. This funding will allow the organization to run programs in 20 locations and reach 4,500 students per week. You can see the here:
Support the campaign at www.skateistan.org/a-new-chapter.
