Hi! My name is Babette, from the Netherlands. During my trip to Ethiopia in February 2026, I met some people who made a deep impression on me. One of them is Eyob. He is known as one of Ethiopia’s first skaters. He started skating long before there were any skateparks. Just a kid with a board and a dream.

Over the years, he has helped build several skateparks in Addis Ababa, including Sarbet Skatepark. It’s a place where young people come together, support each other, and find a sense of belonging and safety.

What stood out to me is how much Eyob does for the kids around the skatepark. Kids come to the skatepark from many different situations. Some even sleep there because it feels safer than home.

And through all of that, Eyob is there — showing up in the ways he can, while also caring for his young daughter.

Recently, Eyob founded Artical, a brand that turns broken skateboards into handcrafted jewelry. Everything is made by him in Addis. The idea is simple: give used boards a new life and build something that can support the local skate scene in the long run.

Artical is still small. Eyob works with limited tools and basic materials. His dream is to grow the brand into something that, in the future, can also give young skaters opportunities to learn new skills and build their own path. But to move forward, he needs help. We especially need money for essential tools: a sanding machine, a small saw, polishing tools, safety gear, and the basic materials Eyob needs to continue building Artical. Some of the money will also go towards providing lunch for the kids at the skatepark.

If you’d like to support Eyob:

All funds directly go to Artical. Every contribution — big or small — helps move Eyob's dream forward.

Thank you for taking the time to read and share his story. ❤️