In August 2019, THE SKATEROOM initiated a pilot project with Skateistan and Special Olympics South Africa, to provide the opportunity for 20 Special Athletes to learn skateboarding. The SOSA athletes followed an adapted version of the Skateistan's Skate and Create program, which combines skateboarding with creative education. With the help of the Skateistan educators, athletes followed an arts-based curriculum, designed to help them explore the world around them, have fun and develop their own talents and interests in skateboarding. It was such a success that the pilot turned into a full-time program for Skateistan, which continues to broaden opportunities for children with disabilities to express themselves through skateboarding. “It has been an exciting 3 months of training for our athletes and the level of skills that they have gained is amazing. Skateboarding is a completely new sport for us and the Skateistan Skate and Create program is the perfect introduction for people living with an intellectual disability. Today has been a wonderful experience for all involved as it brings together all the elements that make skateboarding such an exciting sport for participants and spectators alike. We are so grateful to THE SKATEROOM and the Van Gogh museum for initiating this incredible pilot and we can’t wait to see how we can further grow this sport in Special Olympics South Africa.” - Ancilla Smith, CEO, Special Olympics South Africa. Our Support to this project: $10,000