WATCH THE TRAILER:

Skate To Recover

The Story

What started in 2021 with a few skateboards carried in duffel bags has grown into a locally led movement in Juba, South Sudan.

Skate to Recover creates consistent, safe spaces where young people gather, build trust, and rediscover joy through movement and community.

Today, the program is run by South Sudanese leaders and has reached over 200 youth, with skateboarding becoming a bridge across tribal, social, and cultural divides.

Photo Gallery

Stories & Updates

BEHIND THE FILM:

A person adjusting the car's climate control system and radio on the dashboard.

“A man in camouflage pants and a tank top comes flying out in front of our vehicle, angrily brandishing an AK-47… welcome to South Sudan, please enjoy your stay.”

— Tim Wolf, Filmaker

FX3's and AK-47's: Vol. 1

A person aiming a firearm from an elevated position over a densely populated urban area with distant mountains in the background.

“Outside the airport my head is vigilantly on a swivel after what feels like the luckiest outcome of what could’ve been the end of my trip.”

FX3's and AK-47's: Vol. 2

— Tim Wolf, Filmaker

A large group of children and adults gathered outdoors in an open area, some sitting and others standing, with a skater skateboarding on the ground. In the background, there are buildings, trees, and a dusty street with vehicles and people.

SKATE TO RECOVER

A permanent space for:

youth development
creative expression
long-term community impact

A documentary and movement helping build the first skatepark in South Sudan.

Donate to the Project

Black and white abstract lines and shapes on a white background

A smiling young man wearing a blue hat and a red sports jersey holds a colorful painted wooden sign that says 'I love TESOS.' He stands outdoors with a group of people in the background, some dressed casually, under a partly cloudy sky.

Group of six young boys with skateboards posing on a street in an urban area during the daytime. Some boys are standing, and some are sitting, with skateboards in front of them. They are smiling and making gestures. The background features buildings, trees, and utility poles.

A young boy holding a skateboard with a blue deck and yellow graphics, wearing a black helmet, standing against a blue metal wall.

Group of young boys and teenagers holding skateboards and standing on a dirt step in front of a blue metal fence. Some skateboarders are sitting, with others standing behind them. The skateboards are colorful with various designs. There is a woman in the background on the right, looking at portraits displayed behind the group. The scene appears to be in an urban outdoor setting.

Why Skateboarding?

Skateboarding is one of the most accessible sports in the world.

It requires very little equipment, welcomes anyone, and creates instant community.

Across the globe, skateboarding programs have helped young people develop:

• Confidence
• Creativity
• Leadership
• Community belonging

In South Sudan, skateboarding has already begun doing this.

Imagine what could happen with a permanent place to gather.

A worn skateboard resting against a blue metal fence with another skateboard leaning nearby and a hand holding a tape measure or similar object in the background.

Young boy skateboarding on a paved path with two children walking behind him, greenery and sky in the background.

The Ethos

Where Skateboarding Meets Hope

Skate to Recover is rooted in a simple belief: what we are given, when shared, can grow into something far beyond ourselves.

In South Sudan, skateboarding has become more than a movement. It is a way of showing up, of creating space where none existed, and of building trust over time. What matters isn’t just the boards or the tricks, but the consistency of presence and the relationships formed along the way.

From these small beginnings, a deeper vision has taken shape:

A permanent space in Juba where this community can continue to grow—open to all, shaped by those who use it, and built to last.

This is what Skate to Recover is becoming.

The Vision

Building the First Skatepark in Juba

The vision for a skatepark in Juba is rooted in the belief that shared space can soften long-standing divisions and create new forms of trust.

In a context where tribal identity has often shaped access, relationships, and opportunity, skateboarding introduces something different: a shared challenge that doesn’t depend on background. It brings young people together in the same space, learning through repetition, encouragement, and time.

What emerges is not just a sport, but a quiet form of peacebuilding.

From this, a larger vision has taken shape: A permanent skate space in Juba where these connections can continue to form, open to all, and sustained by the community it brings together.

This is what Let Known is working toward.

Black screen with white text displaying the words 'I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.'

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