VIDEO: Skateboarding in Kabul

I was never very good at skateboarding as a kid, though I spent way too many nights trying to slide the bottom of my board along the curb outside my house. Over time, the board became more useful as a tool for moving my ball hockey net to nearby school yards and parking lots. But I had a lot of friends in high school who were excellent boarders so I spent numerous hours taking photos as they perfected their moves and tricks.

In the intervening years I haven’t lost my appreciation for the skill involved, but it never crossed my mind that skateboarding could become a social justice issue in a war-torn country.

In Afghanistan, 70% of the population are children and in the capital of Kabul much of the infrastructure — roads, water supplies, schools — are still in disarray despite billions of dollars in aid being poured into the country. While boys can run around freely outdoors, young girls are not allowed to take part in any playful activities.

Enter two enterprising Australian skateboard enthusiasts. They brought over a handful of discarded skateboards and have helped empower young kids — especially girls — to learn how to do kickflips, nosegrinds, and railstands. And they made a film about their experience called Skateistan.