Mercia Andrews serves as the Director of the Trust for Community Outreach and Education (TCOE), a national collective of six NGOs founded in 1983. Under her leadership, TCOE has become a leading advocate for the rights and empowerment of rural and marginalized communities, focusing on women, small-scale farmers, fishers, and youth.

Mercia has played a crucial role in enhancing TCOE’s mission to build robust, democratic organizations that empower these communities to manage their natural resources and achieve sustainable livelihoods.

Before joining TCOE, Mercia trained as an art teacher, a background that informs her innovative approach to community engagement and advocacy. Her vision for TCOE emphasizes creating an inclusive society where all individuals—particularly the rural poor—have access to land, resources, and opportunities for economic security and social justice.

Dedicated to fostering collective action, Mercia continues to lead TCOE in mobilizing rural communities, forming strategic alliances, and advocating for social and environmental justice at local, national, and international levels.

Guest: Mercia Andrews – Director at Trust for Community Outreach and education