Exclusive Interview: Trose Foundation’s Journey in Alleviating Poverty, Fostering Independence

 

Today, Pristinegist interviewed the director of one of the prestigious foundations in Nigeria called “Trose Foundation”.

This interview came up as a result of different humanitarian services rendered by the organization to reduce poverty and make individuals be independent and self-reliant.

Pristinegist: Can you please introduce your foundation/NGO and provide a brief overview of its mission and objectives?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: I am Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon, the CEO and Director of Trose Foundation.

Trose Foundation, established in 2017 by a group of professionals and social development experts, it’s registered with the Osun State Government since September 23, 2022. We received our registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on August 27, 2021, under Certificate No. 164657. Our mission, guided by the All-As-One Public-Private Partnership strategy, focuses on alleviating poverty and advancing social and economic well-being across Nigeria. We’ve expanded our presence to ten additional states: Oyo, Ondo, Lagos, Kwara, Niger, Ekiti, Ogun, Cross River, Benue, and Edo.

Pristinegist: What inspired you to start this foundation/NGO?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: Our inspiration to establish Trose Foundation stems from a variety of factors:

*Personal Values and Beliefs
*Empathy for Others
*The desire for Social Impact
*Identification of Unmet Needs
*Personal Experience
*Philanthropic Values
*Desire for Collaboration
*Vision for Systemic Change
*Impactful Role Models
*Sense of Fulfillment
*Commitment to Social Responsibility
*Desire to Amplify Small Acts of Kindness
*Hope for a Better Future.

Pristinegist: Was there a specific event or cause that motivated you to take action?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: Yes, a significant event drove our determination. Witnessing a family’s struggle to afford basic medical care, resulting in the loss of a child due to lack of funds, deeply moved us. Additionally, we recognized that some exploit the vulnerable by pretending to help, only to exacerbate their hardships. These incidents ignited our commitment to address poverty-related challenges.

Pristinegist: What are the main projects or initiatives your organization is currently working on?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: Trose Foundation is currently engaged in several impactful projects. We have partnered with organizations to provide fashion design training, benefiting participants across different states. The culmination of a six-month training program is scheduled for December 2023.

Pristinegist: Can you share some recent successes or milestones?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: Our recent accomplishments include distributing palliative packages to 3000 households and empowering 1000 individuals in various vocations across different states.

Pristinegist: How do you measure the impact of your foundation/NGO’s work?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: To assess our impact, Trose Foundation employs a comprehensive approach:

*Clearly Define Success Metrics
*Develop a Learning Agenda
*Conduct Impact Evaluations
*Analyze Audience Engagement
*Collaborate with Local Researchers
*Engage Directly with Beneficiary Communities
*Address Local and Larger Needs
*Monitor Social Media Interaction
*Seek External Data Expertise
*Evaluate Organizational Reputation and Influence
*Prioritize Beneficiary-Centric Measures.

Pristinegist: What metrics or indicators do you use to assess the effectiveness of your programs?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: Organizational performance is a critical metric, encompassing:

*Achieving Set Goals
*Comparing Projected Aims with Actual Results
*Measuring Efficiency of Business Functions
*Balancing Expenditures against Returns.

Pristinegist: What are the biggest challenges your foundation/NGO faces in fulfilling its mission, and how do you overcome them?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: Our primary challenge is inadequate funding. Limited resource mobilization locally necessitates seeking international donors, which can be unpredictable. We also encounter difficulties in project, organizational, and financial sustainability.

Pristinegist: Can you share a compelling story of how your foundation/NGO has positively impacted individuals or communities?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: In the past year, Trose Foundation supported over 2000 households with welfare, education, nutrition, and health interventions. Our initiatives included distributing welfare support materials, empowering households, providing scholarships, and offering economic empowerment to petty traders.

Pristinegist: How do you ensure transparency and accountability in managing the foundation/NGO’s finances and operations?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: Transparency and accountability are maintained through regular financial reporting, providing detailed updates to stakeholders, donors, and the public.

Pristinegist: How do you engage volunteers or supporters in your foundation/NGO’s activities, and what role do they play?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: We engage volunteers and supporters by:

*Establishing Effective Communication Channels
*Offering Training and Orientation
*Recognizing and Appreciating Contributions
*Providing Diverse Volunteering Opportunities
*Empowering Volunteers to Lead Projects
*Establishing a Feedback Mechanism
*Organizing Social Events
*Leveraging Social Media and Online Platforms
*Volunteers and supporters actively participate in *project support, advocacy, fundraising, skill *contribution, networking, and community-building.

Pristinegist: How do you adapt your programs to changing circumstances?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: We adapt through:

*Continuous Assessment
*Flexibility in Planning
*Stakeholder Engagement
*Data-Driven Decision-Making
*Crisis Response Plans
*Collaboration and Partnerships
*Advocacy and Policy Influence
*Diversification of Funding
*Innovation and Technology
*Learning and Adaptation.

Pristinegist: What are your plans and aspirations for the foundation/NGO?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: Our plans include:

*Expanding Reach to New Regions
*Scaling Up Successful Projects
*Innovating Solutions with Technology
*Enhancing Collaboration
*Promoting Sustainable Development
*Advocating for Policy Change
*Empowering Beneficiaries
*Diversifying Funding
*Measuring Impact More Effectively
*Building Strategic Partnerships.

Pristinegist: How can interested individuals contact your foundation?

Dr. Adegbemiga Adelawon: You can reach us at:

Address: Room 4, Flat 4, HP Plaza Opp. Ansarudeen Central Mosque, Dada Estate, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

Phone numbers: +2348135731896 or +2348055790787

Facebook: @TROSE Foundation

Email: trosefoundation2@gmail.com