We believe that by giving children the right tools, we can help them to build a better future. We’re aiming to raise $60,000 by the end of June so we can provide high-quality, creative education classes and help more children to change their stories. For their future. Donate today. 

Pisey* is 11 years old and lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She came to Skateistan through our partner organization, Aziza’s place, an NGO in Cambodia which supports vulnerable children and their families.

Pisey has not had an easy life. When she was very young, there were problems in her family and she has seen a lot of violence. When she first started going to Aziza’s place, she said to her social worker there, “I would like to stop this but as I am so small I could not do anything but watch my parents fight.”

In 2014, Pisey’s father moved to Thailand to find a job and Pisey and her mother were left alone. Pisey’s mother needed money and wanted Pisey to help by collecting cans from the trash. This meant that Pisey did not go to school and had no friends of her own age.

In the same year that Pisey started attending Aziza’s place, Skateistan began partnering with them so that children could benefit from skateboarding and creative education. Pisey registered to take part in the Skate and Create program, which combines the fun and freedom of skateboarding with arts-based education on subjects like human rights, the environment, staying healthy and the importance of safety. For children who have experienced trauma, like Pisey, the self-expression and sense of improvement that comes with skateboarding can be really powerful.

Because of her homelife, Pisey found it hard to trust anyone at Skateistan and she was very withdrawn. Her social worker from Aziza’s place said: 

Initially, Skateistan’s staff in Phnom Penh found it very difficult to speak with her because she did not reply. She would stay alone and did not involve herself in any activities with other children. She was resistant to any suggestion to try. But Skateistan’s Educators did not give up and worked with her slowly, always encouraging her to try new things. Together with Aziza’s place, Skateistan Community Educators also worked to engage her parents (her dad has returned from Thailand) and to encourage them to learn new skills for a more peaceful home. They helped Pisey’s parents to see how important it is that she has time to have fun, to try new things and to explore her interest and potential.

Gradually, Pisey became interested in the Skate and Create program and she realized she was in a safe space. She started to take more interest in her creative lessons and even to try skateboarding.

Tin, Skateistan’s Programs Officer, has noticed significant changes during the last four years. “She is very brave now, very confident in herself and I am so proud that she changed into positive person.” said Tin.

“I don’t believe my eyes anymore when I see her drop in from big ramp” said Marady, the social worker from Aziza’s Place.

Pisey is now working very closely with other friends at the skatepark, helping them to succeed as she has done.

Through the program, Pisey has saved herself from the darkness that was in her life. She is now confident and brave and has many friends.  

For children growing up in unstable environments, the future can be a difficult concept. Our creative education programs spark ideas about how the world could be different and give children a chance to see how they can play a role in creating a better future for themselves and their communities. You can help to change their stories.

For their future. Donate today.

*Pisey’s name has been changed in accordance with Skateistan’s Child Protection Policy.