BERKELEY, Calif., July 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MallforAfrica (MFA) and One World Play Project have teamed up to bring play to youth in Africa by selling and donating One World Futbols—ultra-durable soccer balls that never need a pump or go flat, even when punctured. MFA is a unique proprietary e-shopping platform that enables African residents to access American and UK consumer retail sites. One World Play Project, creator of the One World Futbol, is a B Corporation dedicated to enabling and expanding the transformative power of play worldwide.
"As a kid born and raised in Nigeria, I know firsthand what soccer means to the continent," said Chris Folayan, founder of MallforAfrica. "I grew up playing with soccer balls that always got punctured so we improvised and used anything we could find and kick around. Unlike traditional balls, the One World Futbol is designed for those living in the harshest conditions where play is nearly non-existent. MallforAfrica takes pride in providing endless playtime to kids and bringing smiles to the children with a sport deeply rooted in our African DNA."
The One World Futbol is a breakthrough in ball technology—enabling sustainable play anywhere and everywhere, including rocky landscapes, grass fields, beaches and the roughest terrain. The ultra-durability of the One World Futbol makes it ideal for harsh environments where traditional soccer balls are easily punctured and destroyed, rarely surviving days let alone weeks. Designed to outlast a traditional inflated ball, the One World Futbol dramatically improves the ability for children to play in any landscape.
Purchase with a Purpose: Transforming Lives through Play
As an official sponsor of One World Play Project, MallforAfrica is starting a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to positively impact the lives of youth in Africa through play. Research has shown that play is a fundamental component of healthy physical, emotional and social development, especially for children living in conditions where play resources and time for play are scarce.
"While our ball technology is unique, the real magic is not in the ball, it's what happens when children are allowed to play," said Tim Jahnigen, One World Play Project Founder and Chief Innovation Officer. "Since our launch in 2010, the impact we've seen has given us a deeper understanding of play and its potential to heal, build and empower individuals and communities. Through our collaboration with MallforAfrica, we are helping improve the quality of lives by bringing the power of play to youth who need it most."
Together, MallforAfrica and One World Play Project are encouraging consumers to use their purchasing power to make a difference. Starting today in Nigeria, customers can buy a One World Futbol through the MallforAfrica shopping app and help bring play to youth living in disadvantaged communities across the country. Every purchase supports the donation of ultra-durable One World Futbols to local One World Play Project partner organizations. In Nigeria, One World Play Project is working with the Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI) and the Search and Groom Youth and Development Center. Both organizations use sport and play to empower youth living in Nigeria.
Additionally, consumers have the option to give additional funds when purchasing items through MallforAfrica—all proceeds from the additional donations will be pooled to support a play-based initiative in Nigeria. Similar shopping and CSR programs will roll out later in the year in other countries in Africa, with purchases going to benefit local programs in each country. MFA's distribution center in Oregon will dispatch the One World Futbols to customers in Africa, as well as the recipient organizations and programs benefitting from the CSR initiatives.
About MallforAfrica
Founded in 2011, MallforAfrica (MFA) is a unique proprietary e-commerce platform that enables Nigerian residents to access U.S. and UK consumer retail sites. With its patent-pending proprietary platform and guaranteed payment system, Nigerian consumers have access to over 8.5 billion items, while ensuring payment to vendors and handling all transaction fees. MallforAfrica is proud to be currently operating with 150 of the best retailers in the world and has currently expanded into Ghana and Kenya, with plans to enter 18 new countries in the next two years. MFA's shipping warehouse and current headquarters are in Tigard, Oregon. For more information, visit www.mallforafrica.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About One World Play Project
One World Play Project makes, sells and distributes products and services to enable play around the world, especially for those living in the harshest environments where play is nearly non-existent. The company is a B Corporation, harnessing the power of business for social good. Collaborating with sponsors, organizations and individuals, the company works to support, enable and expand the transformative power of play in all its forms—anywhere and everywhere. To date, One World Play Project has brought the power of play to more than 35 million youth worldwide. One World Play Project is a Global Champion of Designed to Move, a call-to-action dedicated to ending the growing epidemic of physical inactivity. One World Play Project is headquartered in Berkeley, CA with regional offices in Asia, South America and Africa—and distribution centers in Fremont, CA and Voerde, Germany. For more information, visit oneworldplayproject.com our check out our community on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.