NAMIBIA-WINDHOEK-SKATING-YOUNG PEOPLE

NAMIBIA-WINDHOEK-SKATING-YOUNG PEOPLE

(220920) -- WINDHOEK, Sept. 20, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Michael Kagola (sitting), a skate aid volunteer and coach, poses with children at the skate park in Windhoek, Namibia, Sept. 17, 2022. Skating is empowering children living with disabilities to realize their full potential as well as improve inclusion while helping to reduce stigma and increase self-confidence in adolescents living in Namibia's capital Windhoek. TO GO WITH "Feature: Skating breaks societal prejudice, empowers young people in Namibia" (Photo by Kaula Nhongo/Xinhua)

Skating helps bridge communication gaps, prevent substance abuse in Namibia

STORY: Skating helps bridge communication gaps, prevent substance abuse in Namibia DATELINE: Sept. 19, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:32 LOCATION: Windhoek CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Skate Aid park 2. SOUNDBITE (English): MICHAEL KAGOLA, Skater and volunteer at the skate aid park 3. various of children skating STORYLINE: Skate Aid, a nonprofit international organization in Khomasdal, Katutura, one of the most populated townships in Namibia's capital Windhoek, is teaching skating to children with disabilities. It aims to break communication barriers, support integration, and help local people to overcome their fears of and their prejudices against people with disabilities. The skate park was built in 2018 to empower children through skateboarding while using the sport as a tool to prevent substance abuse in adolescents. The park caters to over 300 children from the Namibia Institute of Special Education and surrounding schools. They skate every day after school. SOUNDBITE (English): MICHAEL KAGOLA, S