Arne Hillerns, who moved from Germany to Wisconsin as a teenager, found community through skateboarding. His passion grew into founding the NGO Make Life Skate Life, which aims to provide access to skateboarding for underserved youth globally. Over the past decade, the NGO has built numerous skateparks worldwide, including the first in Baghdad, Iraq, reflecting local culture through design. Hillerns believes skating facilitates personal growth and community building, making it a powerful tool for youth development across various regions.
"Skating made me so much more open in my personality and gave me confidence. It was a very easy entry to this new world for me."
"We like to have local elements that represent the culture or the country."
"We've designed and built more than a dozen skateparks in countries including Laos, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Morocco."
"The first-ever skate park in Baghdad features various ramps and obstacles tailored to people of all skill levels."
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