Youth Movement

Dare to encourage kids to find their voice, their passion and their future.

Afghanistan today is more than a region most recognizable as the symbol of oppression and conflict. It is a country full of Westerners working outside the military and larger NGOs, working, exploring and having adventures. They have tapped into the youth that want more than their country currently offers.

This is a country where Skateistan launched a skateboarding initiative to introduce the sport to the youth of Afghanistan. Where 200 girls now play soccer, in public, at the Kabul Stadium. Just a decade ago they would have been stoned to death in the same location for daring to play. It is a country where the most popular television show is Afghan Star, an Afghan “American Idol” style reality show. Where two Afghan mountaineers made the first ascent on Afghanistan’s highest peak in 2008. Where Afghanistan’s first Afghan rock band, Kabul Dreams, is breaking away from traditional music. Where skiers showed that the snow around Bamiyam was a reason to celebrate. Where M2M’s own founder became the first woman to mountain bike in the country in 2009.

All of these events and efforts have been made possible by the support of individuals and organizations that realize that there is more to aid development and delivery than schools and infrastructure.

This is a real country, with real people and a real youth movement. Just because there is daily violence and a ongoing war doesn’t mean that real life doesn’t go on, that normalcy shouldn’t be encouraged, and that we can’t interact with Afghans in ways that don’t involve guns. In fact, it’s reason to support Afghanistan’s burgeoning youth movement. M2M supports projects that encourage young people to find their voice, learn to play and find reasons to participate in shaping the future of Afghanistan.