Skate Aid: The Organization Rebuilding Communities in Damascus Through Skateboarding

By Scoop Team On Aug 30, 2020

Via More Sports, More Architecture

In the middle of war-torn Syria, imagine having a place for kids to skate and have fun. Well, you don’t have to imagine; thanks to Skate-Aid, there is a skate park in Damascus! Check out the videos below that will warm your heart, then scroll down for the full story.

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#flashbackfriday: Yousef (6) from Syria having fun with the whole posse at the skatepark and is improving his skills on a daily basis! May Corona be over soon! ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #projectsforkids #empowerkids #skateaid #wirmachenkinderstark #forthegoodcause #skateboarding #skatekids #helpinghands #skateaidsyria #skatepark #skills #togetherwearestrong @soschildrensvillagessyria @qudsaya_skatepark @soskinderdoerfer

A post shared by skate-aid (@skateaid) on Aug 28, 2020 at 7:05am PDT

Skate-Aid is an organization that aims to empower kids through the construction and maintenance of skate parks as safe pedagogical socialization rooms with free access and support. They carry out free skateboard lessons to promote self-determined personality development, resilience, integration, and inclusion. They also provide free skateboards, accessories, and safety gear.

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Especially in areas of conflict and deprivation we support kids in their development, offering orientation aid, contribute to the equality of the sexes and enable great growth in self-esteem, community awareness, personal responsibility and determination. Same goes for our projects in Germany.⁠⠀ Spoiler alert: We have a new campaign coming up to empower more girls. Stay tuned!⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ .⁠⠀ #girlsskate #helpacrosstheboard #skateaid #skateboarding #weempowerkids #kinderstarkmachen #skateboardingkids #sk8kids #supportingkids #skateaidprojects #missionaccomplished #girlsshred

A post shared by skate-aid (@skateaid) on Aug 19, 2020 at 4:54am PDT

Skate-aid also implements and promotes youth exchange programs for the purpose of reducing cultural barriers and prejudices. One of Skate-aid’s most beautiful projects is the one in Damascus, Syria. Bringing back normalcy is a real challenge in a place like Damascus, where there is relative stability while the conflict is still going on in different parts of the country. Skate-aid played a part in the rebuilding process in addition to their role in youth empowerment and community development.

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After Corona closed down our skate park in Syria for 11 weeks the first time, we were able to open it again and continue with our workshops for 10 weeks. Now we are back to lock down and had to close the park again. But we’re used to setbacks and we also learned to always get up and try again. So even this second lockdown won’t stop our mission. We’ll be back as soon as we can and the kids will come back carving faster than ever! . . . . #skateaid #projectsforkids #empowerkids #wirmachenkinderstark #kinderstarkmachen #skatepark #skatekids #kidscharity #sk8kids #skateaidprojects #skateaidsyria #bringingpeopletogether #empower #carving #corona #park #closed #comeback @soskinderdoerfer @qudsayaskatepark @soschildrensvillagesyria

A post shared by skate-aid (@skateaid) on Aug 14, 2020 at 8:23am PDT

The boys and girls are introduced to skateboarding by international skate-aid volunteers and can regularly participate in skateboarding workshops. In a post-war zone, most of the children are traumatized by their early childhood experiences of violence and do not have options for sports or recreational activities which are so crucial to their development and healing process.

WE SAID THIS: Our thoughts and prayers go to the beautiful people of Syria.