About This Project
Skateistan is a Non-Government Organisation whose aim is to provide complementary educational opportunities, support and development for youth aged between 5 and 18 years, by establishing connections between skateboarding and educational opportunities. Students sign up for a session in which they participate in a one hour skate lesson followed by a one hour session that promotes art, visual learning and critical thinking, an aspect of education that is not commonly addressed by schools in Cambodia. Arts-based critical education is an important aspect of the program, as it develops the participant’s ability to express their opinions, hopes and dreams for the future.
Skateistan was founded in 2007 when Australian skateboarder Oliver ‘Ollie’ Percovich travelled to Afghanistan with his skateboard. Children watched on in excitement as he skated the streets of Kabul, cheekily hitching rides on the back of cars and bikes. Ollie observed the interest that the modern sport was generating and decided that an organisation aimed at increasing educational opportunities through skateboarding would have a significant positive impact on a young generation.
In 2011, Benjamin Pecqueur who was marketing manager for Sourire D’Enfant (PSE) had his skateboard sent over from his home in France and started riding through the streets of Phnom Penh.
Like Oliver, Ben saw the impact that skateboarding was having on the kids in Cambodia. Children’s eyes grew wide and wondrous as they tried it for the first time. Ben contacted Oliver (Skateistan Afghanistan) and with the support of PSE, Skateistan Cambodia was born.
Like Oliver, Ben saw the impact that skateboarding was having on the kids in Cambodia. Children’s eyes grew wide and wondrous as they tried it for the first time. Ben contacted Oliver (Skateistan Afghanistan) and with the support of PSE, Skateistan Cambodia was born.
Skateistan Cambodia grew at a rapid rate. The organisation now works with over 200 children per week; nearly forty percent of the participants are girls. They also provide outreach programs that are held at least 3 times a week on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. After the age of 18, participants can join a leadership program for those students who wish to continue with skateboarding. This allows them to further develop their social skills and remain involved in the Skateistan community.
Content: James Darlington, Joshua White, Samantha Manchee and Heather Faulkner.
Production: James Darlington and Joshua White.
