This past Wednesday, our friends at Skateistan welcomed us to their Johannesburg offices and site of their outreach sessions to check out their program and see what happens on a weekly basis. While we’re always speaking to the crew and learning about what they do, we haven’t had the pleasure to see it go down first hand until this week.
We joined the children of Street Light Schools at Bjala Square for some skate clinics and after school arts & crafts activities and had such an amazing time. So much positive energy was flowing and we left feeling inspired by the work that Skateistan does for the inner city youth of Johannesburg.
Thanks to Brandon, Kelly, Ayanda, and the rest of the crew for having us and letting us join for the session! Check out some photos from the day here.
First we stopped to check out the Skateistan offices in Maboneng. Our buddy Brandon is from Philly and has been working with Skateistan for 5+ years now.
The site of the future Skateistan Johannesburg skatepark. They just started laying the foundation for the retail space and the park should be complete sometime in June.
On to Bjala Square where Skateistan works with the children of Street Light Schools twice a week. Here Ronald, Ayanda, and Metja lend a hand a get the clinics going.
This particular group was exceptionally young compared to most groups that Skateistan works with, so tying some laces here and there was not an uncommon occurrence.
Time to pad up.
Ready to rip.
These kids couldn’t keep still for more than a second!
Inside to the classroom. Skateistan assists with after school activities for the children of Street Light Schools at Bjala and always have something fun and creative to provide. Here the kids work on their own paper bag puppets.
Time to get creative.
Once the camera came out, the kids were showing off their puppets (and their smiles.)
Work in progress.
Smiles all around!
Back outside to check out the skate clinics. Stretch session in full effect.
This young lady was so sweet. She kept giving us hugs and didn’t want us to leave!
Skateistan volunteer, Ronald, helps out with the clinic.
Our friend Usam from Tanzania is in Joburg and was so stoked to join us for the day to check out and volunteer for the Skateistan session. Good times were had by all!
All content: Mike Chinner