SKATEISTAN INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE

GROW was lucky enough to track down a member of the non-profit organization, Skateistan, in Cambodia. No, we didn't actually go there, but she was kind enough to respond to our requests for an interview. Since I first read about this organization, I was fascinated that something as simple as skateboarding could make such a huge difference in the lives of children in war torn countries, especially for the girls, who often play a more submissive role that is foreign to their brothers. 

GROW: Hi Talia, thank you so much for agreeing to speak with me today. I am sure that many of my readers are curious about your organization and how it works. I know you are busy, so let's get right to it.

GROW: Can you first off tell us the mission of Skateistan? 

TALIA: Sure, Skateistan’s mission is to use skateboarding as a tool for empowerment by providing access to education, focusing especially on girls and working children, developing leadership opportunities, and building friendship, trust, and social capital. Skateboarding in itself is a healthy, challenging creative outlet for kids. Skateistan uses it as a jumping off point to engage students in visual arts, theatre, discussions and critical thinking about peace, health and the environment. We also operate a super successful ‘back to school’ program in Kabul, that prepares youth who have left the school system to enroll again in formal education.

GROW: How many different countries are you located in?

TALIA: In addition to the original project in Kabul, we have a project that’s about two years old that recently opened its own skatepark and education facility in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This is where I am currently working. There is a

GROW: Who started Skateistan?

TALIA: lso a smaller project operating out of Pakistan, at the street level. This is all in just five years! There’s the possibility of working in more places, but the circumstances have to be right for it.to get started.

GROW:Tell us about the organization and what was the inspiration behind it?

TALIA: Oliver Percovich started Skateistan in 2007, with support from a few of his close friends. He had traveled from Australia to Kabul with a few boards, and the kids instantly took to it. He would run skate sessions for them out of an empty fountain, and from there he saw the potential for something much bigger. He was just responding to a clear need from the local kids to have something fun and stimulating to do.

In Cambodia, it was a man named Benjamin Pecqueur who was working for a large youth-oriented NGO here. He happened to bring his board to work with him one day and, same as in Kabul, saw a lot of enthusiasm from the kids straight away. The process happened a lot quicker here. He quickly had support from the NGO where he was working, as well as Skateistan and a sponsor from Australia for the initial set of boards. 

Tony Hawk rippin' it up on Cambodia at Skateistan

  The populations of both Cambodia and Afghanistan are very young, and many kids aren’t enrolled in school and/or are working to support their families. These youth, like youth anywhere, embrace the chance to do something recreational, playful and creative, in contrast with some of the serious challenges they have to contend with in the rest of their lives. In both these places, skateboarding was virtually unheard of prior to Skateistan, and boards aren’t readily available to buy locally.


GROW: Logistically speaking it must be difficult trying to get the governments of these countries to let Skateistan work within their borders. How do you deal with all the bureaucratic red tape? 

TALIA: Cambodia is actually a fairly easy place to operate, so there are many NGOs doing work here. We have local support, which is one requirement of operating here. Everywhere is different, and yes things can go very slowly sometimes, but Skateistan is really dedicated to doing things by the book, even if it takes months.

GROW: Do you get any assistance from the United Nations if things get sticky?

TALIA: Not to my knowledge, but Skateistan is supported by various embassies, which I’m sure would offer whatever support they could in a difficult situation.

GROW: Have there been any cultural misunderstandings that led to problems for Skateistan?

TALIA: There are constant challenges when it comes to communication, but I think all the staff are aware that it takes patience on all ends, and that everyone has good intentions. What’s important is to maintain some perspective and not make mountains out of mole hills. Skateboarding is a totally new thing to our students and their families, so it’s up to us to us to be able to communicate well with the community about what we’re doing and why. Thankfully, by trying to be really sensitive, Skateistan has managed to avoid any major misunderstandings.

GROW: In one of the videos, taped in Kabul, it said that girls are not allowed to ride bikes. What is the difference between a bike a skateboard, and why are they allowed to skate?

TALIA: Skateboarding is really new to people in Kabul, so there aren’t preconceived notions about who it’s for. It’s looked at by many as being more of a game than a sport. I think that’s the same anywhere that skating exists actually. People aren’t quite sure how to categorize it, it’s creative and artistic, but it’s also physically challenging. Skateistan makes a big effort to include girls and other marginalized groups in its programs. We have about 40% enrollment from girls in both countries, which is great. 

   
GROW: Has anyone working for the organization ever been an accidental victim of warfare?

TALIA: Yes, sadly four children who were volunteers, staff or students for Skateistan were killed in September outside the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) HQ. The area where the attack happened is a common spot for street working children of Kabul to sell trinkets, scarves and chewing gum to help support their families, and the bomb claimed the lives of six youth in total. Skateistan aims to work with youth from all backgrounds, which includes youth who are particularly vulnerable, and unfortunately it wasn’t the first time students were caught in a situation like that.

GROW:What made you personally want to get involved with the organization?

TALIA: There are so many reasons why I wanted to get involved. Sports and especially skateboarding have been some of the biggest positive influences in my life. I think the creativity and sense of community that are so inherent to skateboarding make it the ideal means to engage kids. Everyone who works for Skateistan is passionate about skating, and I think that passion comes through in every aspect
of how the organization operates. It also fits really well with my education, which was in journalism and community development, so I was excited to apply this knowledge in the real world.

GROW: Has it changed your life and your view of the world?

TALIA: Yeah, it really has, it’s amazing to be involved with something so positive for the youth here, and to be skating every day. It’s really humbling to work alongside local skaters who have been skating only a year and have worked hard to become really skilled skate instructors. They’re excellent with the students, and they push themselves all the time to progress with their own skating.

Back home I wouldn’t be skating in November, so I don’t take that for granted. Also, I had never been anywhere in Asia before, so being a part of daily life in Phnom Penh has opened my eyes to a culture I was only superficially aware of before.

GROW: What's the sickest trick you've seen one of your students do?

TALIA: Our students haven’t been skating very long, but I get really excited about how quick the kids progress, whether it’s dropping in for the first time, or learning to ollie, they only skate once a week so they really make the most of it when they’re at the park. I got pretty excited seeing our young security guard do a rock to fakie yesterday – he’s only been skating a month and is going to start teaching classes soon.

GROW: Do you think you might have any up and coming pros out of Cambodia?

TALIA: There’s a local crew who throw down, they’re really talented and fun to go street skating with. It’s really hard to get a hold of a board, because of the cost and also lack of distribution, and there’s no public park in the city, but I think we’ll see some progression in both those areas within the next few years. That access to the resources – boards, shoes, and a safe place to skate, is really key to supporting skaters to progress to that level.

GROW: Thank you so much for your time Talia, and give all your students a big virtual hug from myself and my readers. Please be safe and thank you for all of you selfless work. 

Talia of Cambodia Skateistan

TALIA: It’s my pleasure, we really appreciate the support from the skate community worldwide, thanks for taking the time to find out more about what we do! 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SKATEISTAN, GO TO THEIR  WEBSITE: SKATEISTAN