Skateistan has been one of the brightest stories of hope to come out of Afghanistan, and it’s with heavy hearts that we tell you of the terrible loss of four of the youths involved in this landmark project.
The 1750 square metre facility opened in 2009 with an aim of empowering the youth of Kabul as well as providing a safe space and special way for the young of the city to forget about their troubles. Alongside the skateboarding facilites, the NGO provides classroom activities, photography and film workshops and has captured the hearts of participants and supporters the world over.
Skateistan have released the following statement.
“On the morning of Saturday September 8th a suicide attack in Kabul claimed the lives of a number of young Afghans. The bomb was detonated outside of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) HQ, where many of the street working children of Kabul sell trinkets, scarves and chewing gum to help support their families.
We are very sad to learn that of the six young children confirmed to have passed away, four of them were students, volunteers and youth leaders at Skateistan, who were well-loved and well-known faces for the entire team in Kabul. It is therefore with great pain and heavy hearts that we share our memories of children who were not just victims of senseless violence, but also beautiful human beings who will never be forgotten by their teachers, peers, co-workers, students, friends or family.”
Please consider donating to Skateistan and/or buying the book telling the story of their work to date.
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