Afghanistan, being the center of the ‘next war’ over terrorism, is no safe haven for children. However, children are there, waging war themselves to stay alive and hopefully live to have happy, productive lives. Now a couple of Aussies have come to the capital, Kabul to offer skateboard lessons. Yes, skateboard lessons. The lessons are free to kids across the social spectrum, from minister’s children to street kids, and offers them a chance to also learn English or basic computer skills. It seems there is also a decent amount of girls learning to skate in Skateistan. How rad is that?

“Skateistan” started two years ago in a dried-up fountain in the heart of the Afghan capital, when two Australians with three skateboards started teaching a small group of fascinated kids.

Now dozens of boys and girls from across all social classes can mix in a giant indoor park that looks like a cross between a military hangar and an urban hangout, festooned with the names of fashionable skating brands that have sponsored the park.

The group have established an indoor park to give lessons, and so far it seems to be a winning effort, to allow kids to be kids. Alot of these kids are poor, used to selling chewing gum on the streets. So Skateistan represents a chance for something better, and hopefully a positive move on the world stage.