THE PEOPLE, PURPOSE & PASSION BEHIND THE TRINITY TRUST FOUNDATION

The Covid-19 global health pandemic has undeniably strained the local economy, and rebuilding it through business retention is key to sustainable growth. On the one hand, many sectors have suffered with some of the hardest hit including tourism and hospitality; but on the other hand, a collection of industries have flourished. Cape Town’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector is a highlight, where job losses were not only curbed but created through recruitment and skills training initiatives.

Enter the Trinity Trust Foundation. A non-profit organisation conceived and created in early 2020 by a group of brothers determined to support, empower and uplift themselves, each other and their communities.

Based in Strandfontein, the Trinity Trust Foundation (TTF) is led by Paul Adams, Carl Daniels, Sam Adams, Cecil John (CJ) Fabricks and Rushaan Cornelius. Together, this powerhouse management team with over 50 years of collective experience in their respective fields, oversee a number of projects and companies with diverse service offerings. These include a Credit Rescue call centre, property investment, general maintenance, the Rose-Coffee Emporium– all operating from their office hub that doubles as coffee/ print/ internet cafes and a florist & feeding scheme.

Every entity listed here (and those not mentioned) is underpinned by an undertaking to create employment for local youth, develop skills training programmes and intervene the social ill of substance abuse that plagues many young people.

Importantly, the charge that the TTF team is carrying out is grounded in love, compassion and humanity. Their passion for people and their commitment to serve the community of Strandfontein and its surrounds, is a story of inspiration. Paul states,

We are building a legacy in our communities that will outlive us. While doing that we want to ensure that we have done all we could to make this world, and more so our local communities, a better place. Although not unique, the reason why we do what we do is to help others. Our ethos is probably our strongest innovation in the sense that [we] believe that our mandate is to help others.

This sentiment is reflected by their actions, as the TTF backstory details a business built from the ground up, within the hardest restrictions set out by the Lockdown Level 5 regulations, and growing their staff to over 22 people within a space of four weeks.

After a non-operational NPO that traded as an internet café ultimately closed their doors due to the challenges of the pandemic, Paul and Carl viewed this turn of events as an opportunity launch a new initiative. According to Carl, “Paul and [I] decided to launch an initiative that will enhance the community and bring about a fresh new change. The focus has and will always be to empower and uplift people through various initiatives.”

Sam, at the time freshly unemployed due to the Covid-19 wave of job losses, was then brought into the fold to run the BPO operations. And with their focus on youth empowerment, specifically in the context of disenfranchised communities of colour with social issues linked to drug abuse, CJ brings decades of community development experience to TTF and leads in shaping the young employees in their team. Carl, in his years of expertise in Human Resources, Business Development and Learnership spheres, has contributed positively by aligning TTF with key stakeholders in their upward journey to enrich the lives of the underprivileged and previously disadvantaged communities. Rushaan runs the Rose-Coffee Emporium, bringing her culinary talents and floristry skills. Not only does she cook and bake, but she has the ability to create beautiful bouquets using fresh flowers for all occasions, and is continuously exploring ways to feed communities and stay up to date with floral design trends.

In detailing the early days of TTF; adopting a sparsely furnished office space and renovating it into the local hub it’s become, Sam reflects that,

“People come in here on a daily basis …. 70 to 80 people a day. They leave differently, everybody that comes in – they stand in awe. Most people from Strandfontein know this place from before, but they love coming in here now just to get some positive energy.”

This statement certainly rings true; my visit and conversations with the TTF team was a fruitful and inspiring experience. I entered with expectations to discuss the Credit Rescue call centre and left with an enriched insight into their BPO experience, along with the community work they carry out, feeling inspired – different.

Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, Alderman James Vos, has stated that,

“The City of Cape Town has identified the BPO sector as catalytic because it is a significant driver of economic growth and job creation and has great potential for future expansion. To ensure that our city competes on the global stage and help us achieve inclusive socio-economic growth, we need to attract investment that leads to job creation. To help in this pursuit, the City continues to invest in skills and training for sectors like BPO.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the Trinity Trust Foundation, read Paul Adams’ completed interview questionnaire here: TTF Success Story Questionnaire. To be in touch, follow their Facebook Page or Instagram profile, or drop Carl a message via carl@trinitytrust.org.za.