Radical Cross Stitch

Skateistan is Afghanistan’s first dedicated co-educational skateboarding school. The project will engage with the growing numbers of urbanised Afghan youth in Kabul through skateboarding and provide new opportunities in cross-cultural interaction and education. The school will teach more than 100 students from a range of different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Student capacity will be developed in skateboarding, skateboarding instruction, project management, life skills and English. Our aim is to develop a program that empowers youth to take leadership on issues important to them and build networks countering ethnic barriers.

The three founding Melbourne born members of Skateistan: Oliver Percovich, Sharna Nolan and Travis Beard are staging a benefit gig to raise funds and awareness for the project. The 303 Bar in Northcote will host an array of musical entertainment, such as: Bass Bin Laden, The Insurgents, The Wasp Factory, Aux 1 and MC’s, Gluefoot + more T.B.A. Details: 303 Bar, 22/03/08 6 - 1 pm, 303 High Street, Northcote, 3067

There will also be a photo exhibition of images from the pioneering days of Skateistan in 2007. We will hold an auction of prizes donated by Black Box, Crumpler, Lonely Planet and Argusphotography. Merchandise such as T-shirts, badges and stickers will be on sale.

100% of all proceeds from the benefit will go towards the first months of operation in Kabul, which will commence in April 2008.

Supporting organizations:
Black Box Distribution, 303 Bar, YMCA Victoria, Convic, Crumpler, Lonely Planet, Argusphotography, AADO: Afghan Australian Development Organisation

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This is the most amazing project. Unless people start to do something for the young people of Afghanistan we are only going to see more generations of frustrated and angry kids with nothing to lose. Not the best scenario as I’m sure you understand. I think the Skateistan project is one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard of and deserves as much support and publicity as possible. Anyone who has any connections with any large skate companies who might be interested in sponsoring such a project, please raise your voice!

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