Case in Point: The Uganda Skateboard Union
Reaching out to the youth of Uganda, especially in the young and thriving capital city of Kampala, requires innovative outside-the-box thinking. Rarely do I find an effort so outside-the-box as the Uganda Skateboard Union. When I found the website, read their story and viewed their pictures, my heart went out to this organization who literally brought the first skateboards and skatepark to Uganda. The Uganda Skateboard Union is an innovative pioneer to a youth in Africa who badly need alternative sports and activities.
According to their website,
“The Uganda Skateboard Union is setting out to combat idleness and boredom among the youth of Uganda by providing a new, positive and fun outlet for them. This outlet is skateboarding. The Organisation will focus on teaching and training Ugandan youth how to skateboard. The Uganda Skateboard Union also wants to help create bright and aware members of society so it will enforce the importance of education, teach the youth about health and sanitation issues, and educate the youth on HIV/AIDS.”
The organization also states that they desire to introduce skateboarding to the whole of Uganda coupled with community outreach on important issues facing Uganda. Now, you are probably wondering what kind of benefits skateboarding could bring to Uganda. After all, doesn’t Ugandan youth have more pressing needs than skateboards and skateparks? Allow me to explain the benefits.
- The sport promotes positive habits among Ugandan youth.
Contrary to common public opinion in developed countries, skateboarding can be used for a force of good for youth who might fall prey to crime. Many youth in Uganda are either working to support their families or hoping to someday go to school. The skatepark keeps these kids off the streets and contributes positively to their development. - The skatepark promotes community, responsibility, and ownership.
The skatepark was started by Ugandan Jackson Mubiru and South African Shael Swart, who managed to get enough money together to build their first ramp in April of 2006. The project took off from there and eventually received NGO (non-government organization) status to operate as a nonprofit. The entire park was built by locals who worked day and night over several months. (I highly encourage you to view the pictures on their website of the construction process.) - Skateboard competitions bring sponsorship and awareness.
The park had its first competition on August 24th, 2008, which was sponsored by Sprite, Clear Channel, and a local Uganda company. Even a few members of parliament (mp) were present showing their support for the park (view two short YouTube videos here and here). The next competition is March 29th, 2009 and is sponsored by Mountain Dew and quite possibly several other companies. As you can see from the videos, the competition brought quite a crowd and much potential for the park to reach out to the community they serve. The atmosphere, as most public events in Uganda, was jubilant and celebrated. - The park brings international awareness to Uganda.
Since the park project was launched, it has received visitors from Canada, Japan, UK, USA, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, among many others. Each visitor leaves with a testimony to what the park is doing for the youth in Kitintale District, Kampala. The organization could take things a step further and create “partner-parks” in other parts of the world who will help sponsor the park and spread the word about the organization and Ugandan culture. - Skateboarding brings other added benefits to Ugandan youth.
Not only do the youth learn how to build ramps and perform tricks, the skateboarding culture also helps promote art and music. Anyone who has browsed a skateboarding magazine lately knows one thing is predominant, the art that flows through its pages. Each skateboard is a homage to the artist that created it and a form of pride to the rider. The strength of the skateboarding culture is in often-overlooked and underfunded areas such as art and music, both areas important to Ugandans.
Many additional benefits of the Uganda Skateboard Union could be discussed, as well as potential areas of need for the organization. As stated on the website, the organization is always in need of funds for ramp repairs due to the rainy season of Uganda. They are also hoping to purchase some land in another part of Uganda to spread the organizations’ mission of community outreach with the skateboarding culture. They are also currently producing a movie, of which you can watch the preview below.
If you are interested in supporting the Uganda Skateboard Union, I highly recommend contacting them below and seeing how you can get involved. Being a former skateboarder myself, I highly identify with the skateboarding culture and truly believe in the benefits of this organization.
Paypal Donations: skateboardugandadonate@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.ugandaskateboardunion.org
Blog: http://ugandaskateboardunion.wordpress.com/
Next competition: March 29th, 2009 (sponsored by Mountain Dew)
