Skateistan: skateboarding in Afghanistan - in pictures

Former volunteer and Skateistan's current fundraising manager, Erika Kinast, ollies in front of the Buddhas of Bamiyan, destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 Photograph: Skateistan

Noorzai does a rock-to-fakie in the tight transition of the doughnut-shaped fountain at Massoud roundabout in 2010 Photograph: Joel Sames/Skateistan

One of Afghanistan's first female skateboarders, Fazila, waits to skate on a mini ramp in Kabul Photograph: Skateistan

Bilal, a skateboarder with a disability, shows off a high kick turn after less than two months of skating Photograph: Joel Sames/Skateistan

Some of Skateistan's female skateboarders skate in the women's garden, Kabul Photograph: Skateistan

Noorzai skates at a three-part fountain sculpture in the Ferushga district in Kabul Photograph: Skateistan

Skateboarders take over the streets of Kabul in June 2011 for Skateistan's annual celebration of Go Skateboarding day Photograph: Skateistan

Some of the youngest girls at Skateistan watch in awe at Go Skateboarding day 2011. For the majority of Skateistan girls, this is the only time of the year that they skate outside Photograph: Skateistan

Afghan skateboarder Wais ollies at Darulaman palace, Kabul Photograph: Skateistan

Fazila dropping in during a skate demo for a Skateistan Peace Day event in 2010 Photograph: Joel Sames/Skateistan