Charity helping children ride toward a brighter future

Skateboarding is empowering children living with disabilities to realize their full potential as well as improve inclusion while helping to reduce stigma and increase self-confidence in adolescents living in Namibia's capital Windhoek.

Through Skate Aid, an international nonprofit organization,young boys and girls from the Namibia Institute of Special Education are breaking societal prejudice and shifting negative perceptions about persons with disabilities.

For novice rider Thomas, growing up with a disability has been very challenging, but skateboarding has boosted his confidence and self-esteem. He no longer feels inferior and discriminated against.

"When we are skateboarding, it does not matter if you are blind,deaf, rich or poor, black or white, we are all just the same. We speak the same language and follow the same rules at the skatepark. I am happy to be a part of this team," he said.

The 12-year-old says skateboarding has changed his life, giving him a sense of purpose and greater hope for the future.

"Skateboarding is a beautiful thing. When I see all these kids, we practice together and every time we teach each other. And for those that do not understand, they are learning sign language just so that we can communicate. I am happy," he said.

Thomas has been a regular at the skatepark since it was built inside the Namibia Institute of Special Education in 2018. The institute consists of three schools - one each for the visually impaired, hearing impaired, and for the cognitively impaired. Children from the schools make use of the park, which is also open to the public.

Through the skatepark, these children have found acceptance.The love and hope they experience there allow them to strive to be the best in their everyday lives and possibly change their circumstances.

Sixteen-year-old Kamaya has not only learned how to ride a skateboard but has also learned sign language.

"When I first started skateboarding, I struggled to communicate because I did not know any sign language, but I made a point to learn it,and now I can greet people. I would like to say that I know the basics. It is a good thing because I do not just skateboard with my teammates,now we can tell each other stories,"he said.

Kamaya can perform various tricks which he is now trying to teach to his younger, less-skilled teammates.

According to Michael Kagola, a Skate Aid volunteer and coach, the skateboarders comprise age groups ranging from 8 to 19. They come from not only the Namibia Institute of Special Education but also from surrounding communities.

Kagola, who is a teacher by profession, believes that skateboarding is helping mold these children into better individuals and also teaching them the values of teamwork and allowing them to understand that their talent and abilities can be developed through hard work.

"We work with children from all walks of life including the hearing,visually and cognitively impaired.We want to empower and instill values in them which will better their lives. Skateboarding teaches them that you always get up when you fall.Just like when you are learning a trick, you fall but always get up. It will teach them how to overcome failure," Kagola said.

The children are facing tough situations, with most coming from impoverished backgrounds, Kagola explained.

"We want to empower kids, get them off the street and deter them from roaming around. We want them to use their free time to do something productive instead of having them engage in bad behavior," he added.

"It is funny how a piece of concrete and some skateboards can change people's lives and build confidence and drive."

Although skateboarding is not yet recognized as a professional sport in Namibia, these children already feel like winners as they practice and perfect their skills.

"We hope that one day the sport will be recognized professionally but for now we will just use it the best way we can - that is to give these kids a skateboard and empower them," Kagola said.

Xinhua