In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the sounds of skateboards echo around an indoor park. As each skater perfects the kickflip or tackles the ramps and rails, the crowd cheers and applauds. Many dream of one day representing their country at international competitions. For many, skateboarding is a way to escape the hardships of life and poverty. This article explores the positive aspects of skateboarding in Cambodia.
Skateboarding is a street sport from the West
Traditionally associated with counterculture and youth subculture, skateboarding has recently gained popularity in Cambodia. Despite its Western roots, Cambodian skateboarders are using the sport to engage marginalized kids. Australian skateboarder Steve Tierney, who moved to the country at age 18, has used skateboarding as a tool to improve the lives of Cambodia’s youth. The resulting positive impact is being felt by a wide range of communities.
In Phnom Penh, skateboarding is still very much in its infancy. A small skate park is being built on the grounds of a local children’s charity, where about a dozen youngsters don helmets and hurtle up wooden ramps. They are taught by trained instructors and are given the chance to try flying down a mini half-pipe. The children who attend the sessions often gain valuable life lessons.
In the Western world, skateboarding is a street sport. In Cambodia, the culture of skateboarding is rooted in pop culture and has become a popular pastime for young people. In Cambodia, however, skateboarding has found its way into the streets. The sport has also gained popularity due to the unique fashion trends associated with it. House of Vans and Supreme clothing have become household names. The hip and trendy get-up is a defining characteristic of Cambodian skateboarders.
In addition to the skateparks, Cambodia has many other locations for skateboarding. One of the most popular areas is Oknha Suor Srun Street 7 in Khan Daun Penh, near the city’s street-working youth. There, skateboarders gather every day around a large pond. It’s a fun, affordable way to get the kids outdoors and have a good time.
It connects youth to creative education
A program called the Cambodian Youth Fellowship has facilitated the transformation of three public secondary schools in Cambodia. The organization, which works in conjunction with the government at the district level, aims to improve standards in the country. To date, the project has placed 60 fellows in schools, assisting thousands of underprivileged children and raising their aspirations to be part of a modern, progressive Cambodia. This program also provides mentorship opportunities to youth and helps them develop skills and knowledge in robotics and coding.
The NGO works with the Education Ministry to help young people gain the skills they need to become leaders in education. It also works with global programmes, such as Teach For All, to develop local youth to serve as educators and leaders in their communities. The program focuses on growth mindset and pedagogy, two key components of successful education. The programme will continue after the youth have completed the initial training. For the youth, the program is a vital vehicle to help them meet their dreams.
The Cambodian Youth Project aims to help young people learn to be creative through a variety of media. It begins in Cambodian villages and prepares special projects, which are then displayed at the Create Cambodia Arts Festival. The festival will unite Cambodian youth, educators, and professional artists with a common goal of encouraging the creative capacities of Cambodia’s youth. And this is only the beginning. A Cambodian STEAM education initiative is a must for the country’s future.
KYLA facilitates leadership and capacity-building initiatives with regional high school students. KYLA also supports careers counseling and student exchanges. These innovative programs develop the skills and networks of the next generation of local leaders. And it helps the youth in Cambodia take the next steps to be more independent and successful in their lives. However, it is important to remember that access to higher education is not universal for Cambodian youth. If you’re looking for a program in Cambodia, it is important to check with local institutions to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
It creates a safe space for learning
The Skate School in Phnom Penh was founded by a non-profit organisation called Skateistan, which has long been active in South Africa and Afghanistan. The team has expanded to Cambodia and has set up the Skate School, which is open to the public when not in use by students. It provides a space where children and young girls can learn skateboarding safely and develop self-confidence through the sport.
As an NGO, Skateistan focuses on empowering children and youth through skateboarding. The organization empowers about 3000 youth aged five to 17 across Cambodia, Afghanistan, and South Africa. Its mission is to provide safe spaces and mentors for children to learn how to skate and express themselves. By giving them access to skateboarding, children are able to build self-esteem and overcome social barriers.
The organization began offering programs in Phnom Penh in 2011 and has now moved to a more convenient location in a creative hub. This new location better meets the needs of the local kids. The new school has a 500-square-meter skatepark, a classroom, a library, and a large green space. The organization is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. The school is open to children aged five to 17 and has three different programs. The program offers an hour-long program for children and also provides free skateboards, helmets, and other equipment for use by children. It also offers a program for kids with disabilities and youth with disabilities. The program keeps the children involved in the community for a long time and encourages them to become role models for younger children.
Skateistan began in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2007. Oliver Percovich, a lifelong skateboarder, began skating in the city’s streets. He noticed that local children were interested in the sport. Oliver then started holding informal skate sessions at the fountain there. These sessions quickly grew into an international organization and have benefited thousands of children across various countries. So, it’s not surprising that Skateistan is the organization for the world.
It promotes diversity
There is no better place to experience diversity than through skateboarding. The sport is relatively new in Cambodia, and skateboarding is becoming increasingly popular in the country. The country has one of the youngest populations in the world, with more than half of the population under the age of 15.
Neftalie was inspired by the global skateboard culture to work with local youth and help promote education. Her visit to Cambodia focused on globalization and promoting education and incorporating skateboarding to engage students. She also noted that skate culture naturally links with academics and draws on the use of art and design to create. Her visit to Cambodia was well received and resulted in an incredible impact on the local community.
Throughout the country, the skateboarding community is actively working to change the mindset of the local population. Young Cambodians are motivated by the opportunity to express themselves, and they are proud to show that they have a voice. Skateboarding is a great outlet for self-expression, and Neftalie Williams is helping to create a more diverse world by working with other youth. With the help of her non-profit organization, Skateistan, she hopes to spread the sport across the globe.
Williams is currently working to implement a skate diplomacy program in Cambodia that helps people learn about other cultures. She is the first American professor to teach the sport in the country. She is proud to be a part of the global community. Despite her challenges, Williams and her team are achieving great success. Currently, she is working on developing a curriculum to help people of all backgrounds enjoy the sport. And she hopes to make a difference in the lives of local youth.
It promotes youth empowerment
The People Center for Development and Peace, or PDP Center, is one of the local NGO’s that work to empower youth in Cambodia. As a member of the Youth Coalition for Unity and Development and the Pact, PEPY conducts evidence-based advocacy on youth issues and imparts knowledge to Cambodian youth. PEPY focuses on youth between the ages of 15 and 35 living in Phnom Penh and Kampot Province.
The National Policy on Youth Development adopted by the Cambodian government calls for a holistic approach to youth development, focusing on twelve strategic areas of action. These include education, training, health services, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and drugs use. These strategic areas of action are implemented to promote youth empowerment and inclusion in society. By providing youth with opportunities to become active members of society, RGC aims to help them build their personal and intellectual potential, participate in decision making, and develop their own values and consciousness.
The youth of Cambodia are increasingly aware of their rights and participate in civic and political activities. In 2015, more than 40 percent of the Cambodian population was online. In addition to online activism, youth are increasingly engaged in community-oriented activities. There are 35 youth-focused NGOs active in Cambodia. The main political parties also foster youth participation through media campaigns, lobbying, advocacy, and social media. The young generation is a powerful force for positive change in Cambodia.
Despite the recent gains in economic and social development, youth are still facing challenges integrating into the labour market. They lack job-search skills, lack the appropriate links between education and the labour market. Unemployment among young Cambodians is expected to remain high in the coming years, despite the country’s low rate of youth unemployment. In 2014, the proportion of youth in neither education nor employment decreased from 8.8 percent to 6.4 percent. Moreover, many young people are not economically active, due to poor qualifications and health conditions.