Smile255 Tanzanian Youth Ultimate Program

What is Smile255?

Smile255 is the first and only Tanzanian youth development and ultimate frisbee program. Started in 2015 by Mwinyi Fantastic, the program has sent youth players to tournaments in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and of course Tanzania. The mission of Smile255 is to grow the sport of ultimate frisbee in Tanzania by empowering and inspiring young players. Mwinyi believes that it is important to create a welcoming environment for ultimate frisbee in Tanzania where everyone can have an equal opportunity to join. Smile255 places special emphasis on Spirit of the Game and equity in an attempt to grow the sport in the healthiest way possible. You can learn more about Smile255 at their website or on facebook.

Why are we raising money?

The current business model relies heavily on donations in order to pay for players to travel to practices and tournaments. The goal of this fundraiser is to provide the initial funding for a Smile255 business that will not only teach the kids lessons in managing money and business but will also provide a source of income for Smile255 to send players and teams to tournaments.

This business would also allow 3-5 of the Smile255 players to work good-paying jobs giving them a good source of income and allowing them to be more involved with the program. For example, one player needed $75 in January to pay for school fees and was forced to step away from frisbee to try to raise those funds. Another player needed just $10 per month for a few months to pay a handyman and a third had to move away to take a factory job that pays just $3.50 per day.

Mwinyi believes that giving these players jobs and involving them in the frisbee development program will have a huge positive impact on their lives. Smile255 will teach valuable lessons through frisbee about community, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Mwinyi also focuses on developing the players off the field with him and his mom acting as another set of trustworthy adults for the players. Teaching about gender equity and reproductive health among other things and steering the kids away from dead-ends in life.

How we would use the money?

Mwinyi hopes to open an ice cream business this year, and hopefully use the funds to send players or a whole team to the All-African Championship this fall or the Kenyan beach tournament, Feast, next year.

We have calculated what we would be able to do at three different tiers of fundraising.