Community Projects

The community focus of the Kusuma Trust stems from the founders firm belief in the notion that charity begins at home. Soma Pujari and her husband Anurag moved to Gibraltar in 2004 and have since supported a number of highly regarded community-based projects including a rehabilitation centre, a women’s refuge, a charity supporting children with Down's syndrome and their families as well as a Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.

Kusuma is especially interested in supporting training for Gibraltar NGOs so that they in turn can both take their project to a new level and spread their experience to new volunteers.

If you think you project might qualify for support contact us with details of your proposals at info@kusumatrust.gi

Down’s Syndrome Support Group Gibraltar

The Down’s Syndrome Support Group of Gibraltar, or DSSGG, was established by a group of like-minded families affected by the condition. The group aims to create conditions which will enable people with Down’s syndrome to attain their full potential.
Down's syndrome is a congenital condition which randomly affects about one in every 700 babies born throughout the world, male and female alike. It is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 in each cell of the body. With Kusuma’s help DSSGG is organising conferences, awareness campaigns and will be sending two children to the U.S. for Dolphin Assisted Therapy later on this year.  Kusuma Trust has agreed to provide financial support to DSSGG until 2011. View more

Women in Need   

Women In Need is a charitable organisation based in Gibraltar which provides shelter and support for abused women and victims of domestic violence. Women In Need currently operates from two houses that can accommodate up to ten women and their children. These houses are crucial in providing abused women with an avenue of escape and the beginnings of an independent life. Kusuma’s funding enabled the charity to refurbish one of its houses and Kusuma has pledged its continued support to the cause. In the long-term, the charity hopes to set up a learning centre so women staying at the facility can develop new skills and improve their employability in the job market.
Women in Need is situated at 2 Lime Kiln Road, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 20042581

Calpe House

Calpe House is a facility in London that provides a “home away from home” to Gibraltarians who are seeking medical assistance in the UK. The house contains seven flats, and over 500 people make use of it every year. The Kusuma’s founders have supported the facility generously since 2005. In 2008 the Kusuma Trust provided funding for the refurbishment of two flats.

Patient Yvonne Holmes who has stayed at Calpe House accompanied by her daughter Christine numerous times says: “At Calpe House we have become a real family. My daughter and I have made lots of friends here and we all support each other through the good times and the bad.”

GBC Open Day

Open Day is an annual fundraising initiative by the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation that takes place each year during the festive season. The funds raised are then distributed to various charitable initiatives in Gibraltar throughout the year. Kusuma’s founders have supported this initiative since 2004 with more than £68,000 in donations. View more

8th Gibraltar Stage Dance Festival

The Kusuma Trust was again the main sponsor of the Gibraltar Stage Dance Festival 2010. The event that took place at the John Mackintosh Hall Theatre in March featured over 400 dancers from Gibraltar, Italy and Spain. The Gibraltar Stage Dance Festival is an educational, cultural and social experience and a platform for young people to showcase their work. The show is produced locally by M.O. Productions and Kusuma is proud to be associated with this event. 

Childline Gibraltar

Childline Gibraltar was set up in 2006 with the object of ending cruelty to children in Gibraltar from bullying to abuse. A core function is a helpline telephone service. After an urgent approach to Kusuma Trust Gibraltar early summer 2010 it emerged that Childline Gibraltar were facing a financial crisis that threatened to end their valued service to the community.

Kusuma Gibraltar were delighted to agree a £10,000 donation for the coming year and to have helped enable Childline Gibraltar's restructure for a more secure future.

Childline Gibraltar, operating under the strictest confidentiality, work with various authorities - social services, education and the police - to afford genuine cases access to the best available support.

Their vision is a society in which all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. In other words, a society that will not tolerate child abuse - whether sexual, physical, emotional, or neglect.

Childline Gibraltar's core values are based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Past Gibraltar projects include

Bruce’s Farm

Bruce’s Farm is Gibraltar’s only rehabilitation and treatment centre for alcoholism and substance abuse. Kusuma’s founders helped refurbish and equip the centre. View more

Red Cross Gibraltar

Kusuma has sponsored the purchase of a new vehicle for the Red Cross in Gibraltar. The vehicle is being used to ferry elderly pa­tients to and from medical appointments and deliver care equipment to their homes. View more

Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre

The Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre is a new institution in Gibraltar, offering hyperbaric oxygenation treatment to multiple sclerosis patients and sufferers of related diseases.

Kusuma’s founders have supported various sport­ing & social societies in Gibraltar such as:

• A special chair for persons suffering motor neuron disease for the GHA
• Sacred Heart Church
• Senior Citizens Panic Button Fund
• Visually Impaired Society
• Mar del Sur
• Project AS Morocco Africa
• Cursillo Movement
• Friends del Camino de Santiago
• Round Table Gibraltar
• Manchester United Junior Football
• Gibraltar Judo Federation
• Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics
• Gibraltar Badminton Association
• Tarik Dance Group
• 3rd Gibraltar Scouts
• History Alive