El Desafio SB is an innovative project that provides underprivileged youngsters with opportunities for education, leadership, and creative thinking that help break the cycles of poverty and exclusion. The safety in their streets is being challenged by drugs related violence. This project builds life skills like confidence, courage, trust and cooperation so they can reclaim their streets - and future - through skateboarding.
Argentina is facing yet another financial crisis, and the effects of it are very present in the streets of Rosario. Drugs dealers offer youngsters 'jobs' hard to resist and create a climate of fear and insecurity. Safe public space is being challenged by drug cartels and as a result people stay at their homes. This leads to a generation growing up in insecurity and used to a very unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle.
Skateboarding is a rapidly growing sports in Argentina. Kids love the sports and the positive values it is build on. It is a tool that can activate them to reclaim their streets. It also gives them more mobility and stimulates a healthy lifestyle. Skateboarding gives us 'the hook' to connect with them and implement our life skills-based methodology. El Desafio SB empowers youngsters to step up and create their own future.
Skateboarders are a special breed, who instinctually understand shared responsibility. They unite based on positive values like courage and dedication. This strong social fabric helps them face current and future challenges. Life skills are essential building blocks to create an inclusive city with happy, healthy people. By reclaiming their streets they become 'roll models' and pave the road to this future.
