Rowena Clark / Adventure Medic Editor
We are all climbers: Climbers Against Cancer
This inspiring charity is one which appeals to Adventure Medic in particular: it says it all in the name. In 2007, Aussie skateboarder Oliver Percovich took his board to Afghanistan where, together with some like-minded mates and locals, he set up Skateistan. This skate school is aimed at promoting empowerment, respect, trust and confidence for kids in Kabul through the medium of sport.
Back to school
The charity has a back-to-school policy and is keenly involved in returning children (in particular girls, street-working children and those marginalised by disability) to the classroom. They have a 40% female student population, incredibly impressive in a country where fewer than 15% of girls complete primary school and the literacy rate in women aged 15-24 is only 18% (source: United Nations Girls Education Initiative). Check out the girls’ awesome skills.
Skills
Given our penchant for all things video/photo funky, we were particularly interested in their latest initiative: last month: they ran art and photography classes for their street kids as an introduction to the creative arts, encouraging the children to learn about lighting, composition and to build a story through their photos. Skateistan’s video documentary on their work recently won international recognition and is also beautifully made – if you’re curious, suss out the trailer above.
Fighting brutality
Truly heart-breakingly, Skateistan were recently rocked by tragedy when a suicide bomb in Kabul killed 4 of their students, youth leaders and volunteers, aged between 8 and 17. The charity’s blog tells each of their stories in a graceful, optimistic manner, and they’ve taken it upon themselves to raise the profile of such completely senseless deaths, raising emergency funds to cover medical bills, essential supplies, familial support and financial backing for a proper burial for victims such as these. It really is humbling, very inspirational work that these guys pull out of the bag.
Get involved
If you’re as impressed as we are by the charity’s aims, read about the work they do in Afghanistan, Cambodia and Pakistan, sneak a peek at their blog, get involved with their projects or simply donate any dosh you’re willing to spare.
Humanitarian skating: sheer brilliance.
