From a Two-Week Trip to a Thriving NGO in India
It was during a two-week humanitarian trip to India that Dr. Cat Morris' life changed forever. Little did she know that this experience would ignite a passion within her and lead to her spending the next 15 years helping thousands of the world's poorest children.
Dr. Morris had already gained experience in the NHS and clinics in Uganda and rural Australia when she was offered the chance to use her skills as a pediatrician on the sub-continent. It was a trip that almost didn't happen, but it would prove to be a life-changing opportunity.
This trip was a turning point for Dr. Morris, who realized that she wanted to dedicate her life to helping vulnerable children. She returned to the UK, where she worked in the NHS and volunteered at homeless projects with her now firm friend Dr. Mary Cusack. However, her heart was still in India, and she knew that she had to go back.
Together with Dr. Cusack, Dr. Morris co-founded Love the One, an NGO that has grown organically over the years to become a thriving organization with 135 staff. Love the One has helped thousands of children in Odisha, India, providing education, healthcare, and food security to some of the world's poorest communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a new challenge, but Love the One rose to it, donating 4 million meals to vulnerable families in the region. Dr. Morris and her team were determined to ensure that their work continued despite the pandemic, and they have been providing essential services throughout this difficult time.
Dr. Morris' journey started with a gap year in Uganda and a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene at LSTM, where she met Dr. Cusack. She describes her time at LSTM as fascinating, eye-opening, and empowering, and she still draws on the skills she learned there today.
Dr. Morris' story is a testament to the power of following your passion and making a difference in the world. Her journey shows that even a short trip can spark a lifelong commitment to making a positive change, and that every individual has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of others.