Mary Cusack
Director & Paediatrician
Mary qualified as a doctor in 2001 from the University of Leicester. After spending a year working in Australia, Mary returned to the UK and went on to specialise in paediatrics and is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Mary also gained her diploma in Tropical Medicine in preparation for overseas work. Mary is registered to practice medicine both in the UK (GMC registration) and in India (MCI registration).
“When I trained in medicine I always had a passion to eventually use my medical skills on behalf of the poor.
I was invited out on a medical trip to India in 2006 and was very moved by the many needs of the children I met, either through poverty or injustice. Cat and I returned to India in 2007 to work full time, in a voluntary capacity, on behalf of the children to make a difference wherever we could.
Living out in India has given us an insight into the culture in a way that working from a UK base would have been impossible. The needs of the children are huge and as the project grew we quickly realised the need to become a UK registered charity and Love the One was founded.”
Cat Morris
Director & Paediatrician
Cat qualified as a doctor in 2002 from the University of Bristol. Cat quickly gained her diploma in Tropical Medicine in preparation for working overseas. After spending a year in Australia Cat returned to the UK and specialised in Paediatrics, and is a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Cat is registered to practice medicine both in the UK (GMC registration) and in India (MCI registration).
“I have always been someone who loves to see and experience other cultures. After spending time travelling I realised that I could not just enjoy seeing different parts of the world but ignore the suffering of those around me.
After initially visiting India on a short term trip in 2006, Mary and I gave up our jobs in the NHS and returned to India in 2007 to work full time, in a voluntary capacity. As the project developed it became a natural progression to become a UK registered charity, Love the One.”
Ashok Kumar
Field Co-ordinator
Ashok comes from Andhra Pradesh, India. He has more than 20 years experience in grass roots field work within India and has a heart and passion to stand alongside his own people and see communities transform. Ashok joined the Love the One team in 2012.
Ashok is our senior Field Co-ordinator and serves a vital role in the Love the One team as we pioneer in new areas, make relationships with the communities and officials we work alongside. Ashok also happens to be a whizz at DIY, electrics and car mechanics which makes him invaluable on many occasions!
We are delighted that Ashok, together with his wife and two young sons will be moving with us as we return to live and work in Orissa in 2013!
Joseph Jayakumar
Project Manager
Joseph, normally known as 'Jo', has been part of the Love the One team since January 2012. Jo's family comes from Andhra Pradesh, and shortly after completing his post graduate MBA Jo decided he wanted to give back to India and serve the poorest children and communities.
Jo has been invaluable as we pioneered our first community children's clinic in one of the toughest districts in Orissa and demonstrated a real heart to stand alongside marginalised communities and as he says in his own words: 'Give a voice to them'. He serves in the LTO team as local project manager.
Liz Gregson
UK Volunteer Co-ordinator
Liz is a teacher by profession with her main subjects in languages, IT and business. Liz has a passion to use her skills for children in need and was instrumental in helping to design and develop the writing of the Parenting and Child Health course. After coming out to India in 2009 to teach on one of the courses, Liz decided that her efforts wouldn’t cease once she got back to the UK. Liz has now taken over as our UK based volunteer co-ordinator and still continues to come and teach and serve with us out in India. Liz also serves on our Love the One Trustee board back in the UK and we couldn't do without her!
Isabel Cusack
UK Secretary
Isabel has always taken an active interest in the work of Love the One since it was founded, being the mother of one of the Directors! Isabel is a fully trained secretary with many years of experience. She also has much experience of working with children and wanted to share her skills to help make a difference for the children in India. Since 2010 Isabel has been an active member of the Love the One team as a UK based voluntary secretary and is worth her weight in gold!