Got Ollie?! A Board Can Change A LIFE!

12735 I first heard about a skateboard park in Uganda when I was presenting at the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association conference in Cabo, Mexico this past May. BLOGNOTE: I know you’re probably furrowing your brow and lookin’ kinda puzzled right now because that seems like such a ridiculous idea, but it’s ABSOLUTELY TRUE! I ran into a former Nike colleague, Christian Scott, who now works in the board industry with Sole Technology. We were catching up and he mentioned that he was involved with a group in Uganda that uses skateboarding to make a difference in the lives of kids, the <a href="http://www.ugandaskateboardunion.org/contents.html">Uganda Skateboard Union</a>. I stood listening and looking a bit bewildered and puzzled – action sports in East Africa?! I was trying to imagine how crazy that scene must be - Ugandan young people mastering tricks performed at the Summer X Games in conditions that probably weren’t even remotely conducive to doing even the most basic of skateboard tricks like an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6O0f04wvc&feature=related">Ollie</a> or a kick flip. BLOGNOTE: don’t think that I’m gonna woo and dazzle you with a plethora of sk8 vocab to make you believe I’m some kind of expert. The extent of my “board" vocabulary is solely based on my good friend’s son who is a board freak and shares his passion and knowledge with me from time to time! I was so amazed by the story that Christian shared that I called Jeremy Goldberg, who is deeply connected with all things in Uganda involving sport being used as tool for social change. He listened intently and he couldn’t help but chuckle (not in a humorous way, but in a “I’m not the least bit surprised" way). I could tell he was speaking to me through a smile as he said, "If there is a skateboard park anywhere in Uganda, it would be an amazing feat considering the overcrowded conditions, the lack of resources including the means to obtain any skateboards, and how little exposure anyone may have of the action sports culture." Jeremy continued in a knowing and really thoughtful tone, "If the activity can engage a young persons imagination and provide an alternative to the abundance of idle time in the daily life of a young person, I wouldn’t doubt that it is possible and is happening. Ugandan’s possess amazing creativity!" A few months before the unexpected exchange with Christian, my brand liaison and personal assistant, Jessica, got an e-mail blast from the <a href="http://gypafrica.org/">Global Youth Partnership for Africa</a> about an opportunity for individuals to attend a sports immersion program in Uganda. It read: More Than A Game! Sports for Social Change Immersion June 14– 29, 2008 Kampala, Uganda - The More Than A Game! Immersion will bring 15 American and 15 Ugandan university students together in Kampala, Uganda to examine the emerging role of sports in development and social change, and establish a network of young leaders who promote peace, education and healthy living through sports. We anticipate that the friendships established between the young leaders will lead to partnerships and projects that support war-affected communities in Uganda. This program is more than just an exchange: More Than A Game! serves as a platform for dialogue and open-exchange for youth with leaders in government, civil society, health and international development. The Immersion will also reach out to Uganda’s national sports associations to learn more about their efforts and future plans and direction. The More Than A Game Immersion will provide a first-hand look at Uganda through dialogue, cultural exchange, and direct service. Everyone will gain a unique perspective on issues such as economic development, democracy-building, and transitional justice. The program will include opportunities to meet directly with community-based organizations, international non-governmental organizations, and other young leaders in Kampala and northern Uganda. After reading the e-mail and doing some quick research, Jessica (the ever eager to travel abroad for all things involving the sport for social change movement, former collegiate athlete, and a “social do-gooder") sent me a sly, subtly hinting e-mail that "someone" from our team should attend this gathering that will undoubtedly provide greater insight into the challenges and triumphs of the power of sport movement. Hmmm … I wonder who that someone could be?! With little hesitation, I agreed to send her on the trip, and she agreed to be my katalyst-at-large correspondent who would capture images and share stories of her experience. This is her unbelievable tale and pictures about the Uganda Skateboard Union and how BIG a role sport and play can have on young lives, even when it seems to be an absolutely nonsensical scenario. Jessica’s journey to the UGANDA SKATEBOARD UNION Locale: Kitintale, Kamapala district On my fourth day in Uganda, we decide to visit the Uganda Skateboard Union in Kitintale. We turn off the paved road of Kampala and onto the red dirt roads characterizing much of Uganda. Instantly it feels as if we’ve been transported back in time. We park our Matatu (the Ugandan buses/taxis, which are 12 seat vans that usually fit around 18-20 people) among the wood shacks and houses and file out of the van. We are greeted ¬¬¬warmly by Jackson Mubiru, one of the founders of the Uganda Skateboard Union. With a huge smile on his face, he welcomes us to his village and tells us that he is extremely proud to be able to show us the only Skate Park in East Africa. As we walk down the dirt roads, an entourage of little kids follows behind us, curious and intrigued by the group of Mzungus (white people) walking through their town. As we walk, Jackson tells us about the project … Kitintale is a working class suburb of Kampala, where almost all of the youth are battling the negative effects of poverty. Broken homes, lack of education, hunger and idleness lead to hopelessness, drugs and other harmful behaviors. So Jackson and his South African friend, Shael Swart, decided to do something about it. They raised funds, collected materials, and built Uganda’s first ever skate ramp. The idea was relatively simple: To provide the youth of Uganda with a new, positive and fun outlet, and “create bright and aware members of society to enforce the importance of education, teach the youth and health and sanitation issues, and educate the youth on HIV/AIDS." The skate park itself is not very impressive. It is very small, and the original ramp has fallen apart so much that it is no longer usable. Among a group of about 30-40 children and teenagers, there are perhaps 6 skateboards, most of which are on their last legs. But the results are astounding. As kids zoom from side to side doing tricks and jumps (with their fair share of falls I might add), you can truly feel the energy and adrenaline. Younger kids line the chain link fence, mesmerized by their older counterparts. Jackson points to a young boy along the fence, perhaps 12 years old, though he looks about 8. “The first time I saw this boy," he says, “his eyes were vacant. He had been sniffing glue for I don’t know how long. He kept coming round, watching the skateboarders. A couple of the older boys told him he could try it, but only if he stopped sniffing. It took a while, but now look at his eyes." I looked, and his eyes glowed with excitement as he waited his turn for a board. “He’s one of the most promising skaters I’ve seen," he adds. Apparently, this story is anything but rare. By building a small skate park, Jackson has created a community of young people who look out for one another. The atmosphere at the park is amazing. It is clear that the older skaters, both girls and boys, have become role models in the community. When they speak, everyone listens. As we walked into the park, one boy brought his board to one of the Mzungus and started teaching her to skate. Everyone followed, offering their only boards to these strangers, teaching us the best they could, and laughing every time we fell, and encouraging us to try again. Of course, there are challenges - mainly, getting skateboards. Eventually, Jackson and his colleagues want to reach more youth by building parks all over Uganda. But for now, he is happy to have given the youth of Kitintale the opportunity and motivation to better their lives. This is another example of how undeniably powerful a force sport and play can be in a life. SO, anyone got a skateboard(s) they want to send over to the USU?! Maybe we could entice Sal Masekala and some of the crew from the Summer X Games 2008 to donate some gear?! Maybe Tony Hawk, Inc. would be willing to go over there and rebuild the park and do a mini-BBHJ (BoomBoomHuckJam)?! BLOGNOTE: Christian’s organization, Sole Technology, is sending over some Etnies kicks for the young, aspiring X Gamers. Good stuff, Christian! true

2008-08-04T00:38:53Z

62851 1 Got Ollie?! A Board Can Change A LIFE!

2008-08-04T00:45:12Z