Dignity
People define their own priorities and future.
ABOUT / OUR STORY
An organisation built
to stay involved.
The Meridian Trust was founded in 2011 around one practical belief: good intentions are not enough. Durable systems need local ownership and sustained support.
SINCE 2011
Accountable to the people doing the work.
We began with small partnerships to improve access to safe water. Over time, those partnerships taught us to focus just as closely on sanitation, livelihoods and the institutions responsible for maintenance.
Today our teams work with local organisations across two regions, supporting plans shaped by communities and measured against meaningful outcomes.
The story so far.
A shared idea
The Trust begins with water-system partnerships.
Maintenance first
Post-installation support becomes core to every programme.
A broader view
Sanitation and hygiene programmes expand.
Economic participation
Women-led enterprise partnerships join the portfolio.
Long-term local leadership
The next chapter deepens locally governed partnerships.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Partnership
We work through locally accountable organisations.
Evidence
We publish what we know and what we still need to learn.
Longevity
Maintenance and institutional capacity matter.
OUR TEAM
People behind the partnerships.
Amara Okafor
Executive DirectorPartnerships and community accountability.
Daniel Mercer
Director of ProgrammesWater systems, maintenance and learning.
Nisha Rahman
Director of EvidenceMonitoring, evaluation and research.
Grace Mbeki
Regional Partnerships LeadLocal organisational development.
Oliver Price
Head of OperationsFinancial stewardship and compliance.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Independent oversight.
Eleanor ShahChair
Samuel OtienoTreasurer
Dr Helen CrawfordTrustee, public health
Priya BoseTrustee, governance
OUR PARTNER NETWORK
Malawi Water Forum
Locally grounded expertise and accountability.
Women’s Enterprise Circle
Locally grounded expertise and accountability.
Riverbend Development Network
Locally grounded expertise and accountability.
South Asia WASH Collaborative
Locally grounded expertise and accountability.
Community Systems Lab
Locally grounded expertise and accountability.
Village Maintenance Alliance
Locally grounded expertise and accountability.
Greenbelt Sanitation Partnership
Locally grounded expertise and accountability.
Equity Fieldworks
Locally grounded expertise and accountability.
SAFEGUARDING
Care must be practical.
We require safeguarding assessments, accessible reporting routes and clear investigation procedures across our partnerships. Staff and partners receive training on preventing exploitation, harassment and abuse.
Concerns can be raised confidentially by contacting hello@meridiantrust.org. We review processes regularly with independent oversight.
TOGETHER, FOR THE LONG TERM
Clean water changes everything.
Support local leadership. Strengthen systems that last.