Project visit in Nepal

In May, we paid a working visit to our project in Butwal, Nepal. The journey alone was an adventure in itself. After a 6-hour flight to Doha/Qatar, we were able to gain a small but very interesting insight into Arab culture during an 8-hour stopover there. Then we went on to Kathmandu, where we were warmly welcomed by Jagrid and his skate-aid Nepal crew. We went by cab from the airport to our hotel in the center of the megacity. Non-stop incredible and hair-raising traffic situations were breathtaking. You can’t remotely imagine what it feels like if you have not experienced it yourself. The hotel situation was also "interesting", but it definitely had its own charm. After an exciting walk around town and an equally exciting first approach to traditional culinary delights, we went to bed late, falling asleep before our heads hit the pillow. The next day we continued to Butwal, with not only the spectacular cab ride to the airport providing adrenaline rushes again, but also the propeller plane that awaited us at the airfield. Anyway, Butwal was reached safely and in the afternoon a visit to the "skate-aid hostel" and the skate park was already on the agenda. The volunteers are staying in the hostel, which is located within sight of the skate park, as well as some local kids, who, like the talented Pappu, also go to school from there and can be found in the skate park every day. The multi-story house is also the central meeting point of the project. Here they chill, learn and cook together, as well as discuss the latest tricks they've learned. When the biggest midday heat is over, it's time for the workshops at the skate park, which are attended by more than 30 kids every day. But the park is not only a skate park, it is also a playground, place of culture and especially a safe place for the children and young people, where they can freely develop self-determined. Of course, there were also discussions about planned future projects and expansions. There’s a lot more to come in Nepal!

We look back on another exciting and impressive skate-aid@school season. A special feature this year: Our new mobile miniramp from Fahrzeugbau Evels in Münster. With this, and other mobile obstacles, we were on the road at ten schools and gave over 750 kids the opportunity to skateboard, develop the associated self-determined action and promoted their intrinsic motivation. We did not focus on a specific target group, but were active at various types of schools, from elementary school to high school. The feedback from the kids and the teaching staff was overwhelming and the impressions and emotions still resonate today. We’re happy to have introduced the kids to an alternative to externally determined learning and will continue to pursue this mission!

Westenergie and skate-aid are entering their 8th year of partnership and we don't want this to be the end! With over 15,000 kilometers covered and more than 1,000 children participating, we can proudly look back on another great season. From North Rhine-Westphalia to Lower Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate, our reach is constantly growing. Together with Westenergie, we’re inspiring the next generation of boys and girls for the world of skateboarding with free of charge vacation workshops! Once our coaches have cut and applied the grip tape, the fun really begins. The Kids assemble skateboards themselves, which they get to keep after the workshop thanks to the support of Westenergie - just like the "Westenergie x skate-aid" t-shirt specially designed for the workshops. That's a sure recipe for bright eyes and happy children. The trucks are fitted, the bearings are inserted into the wheels and everything is fastened. Assembling everything yourself makes perfect sense, as the kids will later know how to adjust their trucks correctly and how to change wheels or bearings. This gives them the opportunity to stay on bo(a)rd even after the workshop. Safety gear on, helmet on and off they go. From the first push attempts, to learning the first tricks, through to advanced tricks such as a kickflip, the kids' self-imposed goals can vary. They can develop freely and at their own pace. During the free lunch, the kids already discussed what they had already learned and set new goals. Many thanks to Westenergie for the great long-term cooperation! Together we empower kids!

The skate-aid team had yet another fruitful year in Uganda, with a host of exciting developments that promise a brighter future for the community. This yearly visit was packed with highlights, including the official opening of a “library”, with a special guest appearance by Titus and management meetings. In a move to enhance safety at the skate park and extend skate sessions, the project is renewing solar flood lights with the support of Sophie. Twelve solar flood lights have been procured additionally to illuminate the skate park during evening sessions, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for all. A UNHCR Scoping Mission to the Adjumani District was a resounding success. This multi-partner visit aimed to explore the feasibility of launching a child protection project in the northern area of Uganda. UNHCR Adjumani's enthusiastic support for the project has set the stage for a promising collaboration, bringing hope to countless children. During this mission, the FSPI (Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International) project made its mark by introducing skateboarding workshops in the refugee settlement. The response from the locals was remarkable, as they embraced this exciting new opportunity with enthusiasm. skate-aid's commitment to empower kids and their communities through skateboarding continues, bringing smiles to all it touches.
We empower kids!

"Celebrate and support" is the motto when skate-aid invites guests to the Lexware skate-aid night in the festively redesigned Skaters Palace. Once again, around 250 invited guests, not only from all over Germany, answered the call, including many prominent "skate-aid friends",actor Wotan Wilke Möring, musicians Henning Wehland and Steffi Stefan, social entrepreneur Eilika Prinzessin von Anhalt, presenter Lina van de Mars, entertainer Adam Riese, graffiti artist René Turrek and many other well-known faces. Münster's Mayor Markus Lewe gave the welcoming address. TV presenter André Gatzke charmingly and humorously guided the audience through an entertaining and rousing evening. He also provided insights into the work and worldwide skate-aid projects, which uses the pedagogical power of skateboarding to empower kids! In 2023, there were three highlights that touched people's hearts: the opening of a multifunctional library in Uganda right next to the Kampala Skatepark and in the middle of the Kitintale slum. The same project is also in the final planning stages for Butwal/Nepal. Two skate-aid coaches also explained to the guests on stage how they work with the children as part of free vacation workshops and how skateboarding strengthens the intrinsic motivation of the participating kids. Nasila Di Piazza & Band and Dan Fairhurst provided sophisticated musical variety and the very best entertainment. The thrilling, spectacular and award-winning GOP acrobatic act "Super Skaters", exquisite culinary delights and of course the success stories from the skate-aid projects put the guests in a great (fundraising) mood. In the end, the proud sum of around 80,000 was raised, which can be used to further advance skate-aid projects worldwide. This also impressed founder Titus Dittmann: "We empower kids! People are enthusiastic about our mission and we are delighted about the appreciation and support for our work - so many burning hearts for skate-aid!" The entire skate-aid team was delighted with the guests' great willingness to donate and the spirit of the Lexware skate-aid night. The 17th edition of the event was once again a complete success.

Our new limited edition VANS X skate-aid collab shoes, based on the VANS Old School, come in two stylish colorways and are only available at our online store and in the skate-aid shop. We’re proud to count VANS as one of our supporters! With your purchase you support our work and the kids in our worldwide skatepark projects. Here’s a shout out from Steve Van Doren from the VANS headquarters: Click HERE for the video.

It's incredible to think that it has been a year and a half since we first realized our dream of building a skate park in Butwal, Nepal. The joy and sense of accomplishment that this project brought were immeasurable. Now, we're thrilled to announce the start of our next venture: the construction of a “library” next to the skate park for the year 2024. Plans are already in motion for what we fondly call the "skateboarding village." Our motivation is clear: we aim to bridge this educational gap and create opportunities for these underprivileged children. Our new library construction project is the first significant step towards achieving that goal. We envision this library as a place where these kids can connect with the world of learning. So, here's where you come in. Whether you can contribute a little or a lot, every amount counts and every gesture of kindness brings us one step closer to transforming lives in Butwal. Let's make 2024 the year when dreams become a reality and a skate park and library lay the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.

Our new skate-aid Mag No.13 is out now! It offers an exciting insight into our work and our worldwide projects. Pick up a free copy in the skate-aid Shop in Münster, or take a look at the magazine as a flip book HERE.