TROVOCO ‘A CLOSER WALK WITH THEM’

By Tawanda Ngena

TROVOCO is an abbreviation for THEE ROOTS VOLUNTARY CHARITY ORGANIZATION.It is a non-governmental Christian charitable institution which is being championed  mainly by youthful members from different social backgrounds driven by same goal and motive, to assist the needy and less priviledged in a voluntary capacity. Its main mandate being, to cater for the street kids, orphans and the disabled.

TROVOCO strives to meet and assist them in all aspects, chief among being, psycho-social, physical (food and clothing), spiritual, and it caters for their academic needs as well.

We spoke to one Mthulisi Ndlovu, founder of this initiative to find out more about the organisation and the remarkable work that it is doing.

When did TROVOCO come into being and who is the brains behind it*

TROVOCO is an abrevietion of THEE ROOTS VOLUNTARY CHARITY ORG, legaly being registered as THEE ROOTS CHARITY Trust.

It is a people's organisation, owing its growth to the general populace from different spheres, however like any other initiatives arround the globe there is a founder or founders.TROVOCO or the idea of it came from a young man by the name Mthulisi Ndlovu in December 2014 who then discussed and developed the idea with his best friend Bhekinkosi Nkomo when they were doing their Lower six at AMHLOPHE HIGH SCHOOL in Pumula Bulawayo. Mthulisi Ndlovu is the founder of the organisation while Bhekinkosi Nkomo is regarded as the co-founder respectively. Formal visits and execution of duty commenced in April 2016, formal organisation structures were set up in August of that very same year in our First Annual General Meeting.

What do you hope to achieve through this initiative?

By God's grace we wish to achieve a lot, among a whole host of things;

-To find better solutions of eradicating the problems being faced by destitude children and to succesfuly reduce their numbers in the street.

-To see to it that there is a better and decent life in orphanages,

-To cultivate the spirit of voluntarism amongst the youths arround the globe.

-To create self reliant individuals through the creation of various projects to counter poverty and idleness.

-To identify God-given talents amongst the less-privileged and the disabled and offer them the means and opportunities to realize their full potential.

-To take education to the world of the underpriviledged at 0% cost.

Is TROVOCO's work at National level yet?

TROVOCO is still only operational in Bulawayo, but it is our goal to extend to other towns and cities around the country and eventually the world at large (sources permitting)

What are some of the projects that the organisation is involved in?

We have launched an Agricultural project and currently we are working hand in hand with the visually impared children at Jairos Jiri Pumula East hostel with a gardening project in order to increase their agric outputs and help sustain themselves. We are on the verge of securing another piece of land in partnership with a local private school for another agric project from which we believe that a lot of our targeted groups will benefit.

Since the month of August, under our education department, we have been able to offer free tutorial services to at least 9 students, 6 of whom wrote their exams this year November 2016. Our organisation foots all the costs (exam fees and all) and 2 students have so far have been identified to qualify and benefit from a need based beneficiary under the Education Wing.

Other projests like Sports and Arts are at advanced stages of drafting.

What have been the major Highlights so far?

The public response in terms of moral support is awesome, the media as well seems to be warming up to us in terms of getting 'TEAM TROVOCO' and its work known to the public.

What is the one vital thing that you think is necessary in making your work and mission easier?

LOVE is the primary factor in TROVOCO. I dare not imagine how things would have turned out had it not been for this ancient doctrine (LOVE), which we believe is binding us together, hence fueling team work and massive progress.

If you had the power to change anything on earth, what would it be..... and why?

Pride, l would destroy it because it is the mother of all blunders as it hinders progress, destroys team work and success, disregards humility, makes one look down upon the less privileged and last but not least it is the root cause of divisions and squables. This  ultimately results in differences among team members and inequalities in various aspects of the communities and the world at large.

What is your appeal to Zimbabwe and the world at large?

Our message is clear; come lets all join in and together let us take 'A closer walk with them'. To the Christian world l would like to share James 1:27 which so happens to be our inspirational verse. Join us in this venture as we engage in the practicality of the gospel�.