Four young girls smile and laugh at school

About half of Skateistan’s students are girls.

Courtesy Skateistan

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Hope on Wheels

In a country torn apart by war, a unique school is giving kids hope for a brighter future.

March 15, 2021
By Rebecca Zissou

As You Read, Think About: What makes Skateistan different from most schools?

Teens stand on top of a 6-foot-tall platform. They hold their skateboards, waiting their turn to fly down the ramp. Nearby, younger skaters weave through orange traffic cones. The sound of laughter mixes with the rattle of skateboard wheels.

This may seem like a scene from your local skate park. But it’s actually taking place at a school run by an organization called Skateistan. The school gives hundreds of students a safe place where they can play, learn, and just be kids.

That’s important because they live in Kabul (KAH-buhl), the capital of Afghanistan. Kids there have grown up surrounded by war.

Teens stand on top of a 6-foot-tall platform. They hold their skateboards and await their turn to fly down the ramp. Nearby, younger skaters weave through orange traffic cones. The sound of laughter mixes with the rattle of skateboard wheels.

This may seem like a scene from your local skate park. But it’s actually taking place at a unique school. The school is run by an organization called Skateistan. The school gives hundreds of students a safe place. Here they can play, learn, and just be kids.

That’s important because they live in Kabul (KAH-buhl). This city is the capital of Afghanistan. Kids there have grown up surrounded by war.

Life in a War Zone

Afghanistan has been overrun by violence for decades. In 1996, a terrorist group called the Taliban took control of the country. It imposed strict laws and banned music, TV, and movies. It also took away basic rights, especially from women and girls. Women weren’t allowed to work outside the home or show their faces in public. Girls weren’t allowed to go to school.

In October 2001, the U.S. and other countries invaded Afghanistan (see sidebar). They forced the Taliban from power and helped set up a new government. Still, nearly 20 years later, the war continues as the Taliban fights for control.

Afghanistan has been overrun by violence for decades. In 1996, a terrorist group called the Taliban took control of the country.

It imposed strict laws. The Taliban banned music, TV, and movies. It also took away basic rights, especially from women and girls. Women weren’t allowed to work outside the home. They also weren’t allowed to show their faces in public. Girls weren’t allowed to go to school.

In October 2001, the U.S. and other countries invaded Afghanistan (see sidebar). They forced the Taliban from power. They also helped set up a new government. Still, nearly 20 years later, the war continues as the Taliban fights for control.

Jim McMahon

Skating School

In the middle of this war zone, Skateistan was born. An Australian man named Oliver Percovich moved to Kabul in 2007. He brought his skateboards with him. Wherever he went, curious kids crowded around him. They had never seen a skateboard before. That inspired Percovich to open a skateboarding school.

Life has slowly improved for many Afghans, including girls. But most girls still don’t have the same opportunities that boys have. And girls are discouraged from playing sports.

At Skateistan, however, girls are free to skateboard, play soccer, and ride bikes.

In the middle of this war zone, Skateistan was born. An Australian man named Oliver Percovich moved to Kabul in 2007. He brought his skateboards with him. Wherever he went, curious kids crowded around him. They had never seen a skateboard before. Their interest inspired Percovich to open a skateboarding school.

Life has slowly improved for many Afghans, including girls. But most girls still don’t have the same opportunities that boys have. And girls are discouraged from playing sports.

But Skateistan is different. Girls are free to skateboard, play soccer, and ride bikes there.

What You Need to Know About the War in Afghanistan

Scott Olson/Getty Images
  • The war is the longest in United States history. It began in response to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001. The planners of the attacks were hiding in Afghanistan. The Taliban refused to give them up.
  • More than 2,200 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of Afghans have been killed in the war. About 2,500 U.S. service members are still there to train and support Afghan troops.
  • Last fall, the Taliban and the Afghan government met for the first time to begin working on a peace deal to end the fighting.

 

What You Need to Know About the War in Afghanistan

Scott Olson/Getty Images
  • The war is the longest in United States history. It began in response to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11, 2001. The planners of the attacks were hiding in Afghanistan. The Taliban refused to give them up.
  • More than 2,200 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of Afghans have been killed in the war. About 2,500 U.S. service members are still there to train and support Afghan troops.
  • Last fall, the Taliban and the Afghan government met for the first time to begin working on a peace deal to end the fighting.

 

Getting an Education

But there’s more to Skateistan than sports. Students can take classes in reading, writing, math, and other subjects. For many, it’s the first school they’ve ever attended. According to the United Nations, nearly half of all school-aged kids in Afghanistan don’t have access to education.

Today, Skateistan runs schools in three countries. At each, the mission is the same: to empower kids to become leaders in their communities.

“I want to go to university and become a good teacher,” says Zarafshan*, a 13-year-old student in Kabul. “My country needs good teachers more than anything else.”

*The student’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.

But there’s more to Skateistan than sports. Students can take classes too. They can choose from reading, writing, math, and other subjects. For many, it’s the first school they’ve ever attended. According to the United Nations, nearly half of all school-aged kids in Afghanistan don’t have access to education.

Today, Skateistan runs schools in three countries. At each, the mission is the same. The group wants to empower kids to become leaders in their communities.

“I want to go to university and become a good teacher,” says Zarafshan*, a 13-year-old student in Kabul. “My country needs good teachers more than anything else.”

*The student’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.

1. What was life in Afghanistan like once the Taliban took control?

2. What is Skateistan? How did it begin?

3. What is the purpose of the section “Getting an Education”?

1. What was life in Afghanistan like once the Taliban took control?

2. What is Skateistan? How did it begin?

3. What is the purpose of the section “Getting an Education”?

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