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Shattered by 12 years of war, the street children of Afghanistan have known little but barbarism.

And many dream of growing up to become Taliban warlords ­because they know no better.

But a pioneering charity is ­beginning to change all that – by getting them skateboarding, the Sunday People has revealed.

Skateistan is teaching kids skills on wheels in the hope youngsters will idolise skate stars rather than the Taliban.

Aussie Ollie Percovich set up the charity six years ago after being stunned by the reaction of kids when he went boarding in the streets of Kabul.

Ollie, 39, said: “What was really striking was girls wanted a go. Girls don’t do any sport in Afghanistan so this was a bit of a loophole – they’re not even ­allowed to ride bikes.”

“I saw it as a way to help them realise they had a role to play.”

He sees at first hand how children are affected by the Taliban, who have killed thousands of people and destroyed world heritage sites like the 1,500-year-old giant Buddhas of Bamiyan.

Ollie said: “Their role models are basically warlords.

“But if they can have an identity as a skateboarder, as someone who is interested in art or music or computers, that’s an alternative they can grab and grow into.

“We’re trying to create a bubble where something different is ­possible for the kids to dream of – and we’re preventing them getting involved with the Taliban.”

But the charity, which operates in Cambodia too, suffered tragedy last year when a teacher and three students were killed in a suicide-bombing in Kabul.

Defiant Ollie said: “It made us even more determined to provide safe spaces and opportunities.”

Despite the daily threat from the Taliban, the children have hope in their country’s future.

Ollie said: “A 20-year-old will talk about wanting to get out but a 10-year-old will talk about wanting to help Afghanistan.

“Our goal is to create leaders and help the next generation understand the world a bit better.”