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The Skate Punks of Ethiopia (PHOTOS)

Using boards donated from around the world, kids from all backgrounds in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have come together to skate.

By William BootJun 06, 2015

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate1_ed0xlh — Ethiopia Skate started as a group of 25 young skaters in Addis Ababa, led by then 16 year old Abenezer Temesgen. They shared only 7 boards between them, skating together in a vacant parking lot.
Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate3_hudjwe — The kids connected with older local skaters Addisu Hailemichael, Buzeyo Julien, and Yared Aya. They each brought their neighborhood crews to the mix- creating a citywide network of youth interested in skating.
Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate4_sa96mw — The crew created the beginnings of a skateboard scene and start a community organization to support it. They have no place to buy skateboards, but Ethiopia Skate has been able to get over 100 kids skateboarding with boards donated from Austria and America.
Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate5_zxauke — Kids from all backgrounds come together on the weekends to share their affinity for skating, challenging each other to practice ever day.
Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate6_b7md3x — Urban youth who otherwise wouldn’t try to learn English practice their words so they can communicate with visiting skateboarders, creating friendships that change lives in the simplest ways possible.
Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate2_smwlzm — In a place where there are no proper skate spots, this generation shows how to make do with what you have- power sliding down steep hills in the Piassa district or dropping in on their homemade mini ramp.
Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate7_yuxlzm — Ethiopia Skate aim to build the country's first public skatepark and spark a movement that lasts long into the future.
Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate11_qq6ahx — Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate10_dhbozs — Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate8_xywkzu — Ethiopia Skate

galleries/2015/06/06/the-skate-punks-of-ethiopia-photos/150605-ethiopia-skate9_ptozga — Ethiopia Skate

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