Project RISHI
University of Michigan
Project RISHI
University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
ABOUT
PROJECT RISHI
Project RISHI (Rural India Social & Health Improvement) is a nonprofit organization aiming to promote the sustainable development and growth of rural Indian communities. We work with Indian communities to identify and address pertinent issues impacting quality of life. Through extensive field research (on the ground in India) and on-campus initiatives, we are able to support our community partners. If you are interested in joining Project RISHI at the University of Michigan, please fill out our general member application (link will be updated soon for the 2023-2024 school year -- thank you for your patience!)
What We Do
Education
Income
Generation
Health
Water
And
Sanitation
Renewable
Energy
Seithur Sanitation Initiative
Project Overview
Did you know that 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have access to sanitation facilities? In fact, in Tamil Nadu (a state in Southern India), did you know that 40% of all individuals practice open defecation? In order to help combat this issue and raise awareness on the risks associated with open defecation, our team has partnered with international NGOs to implement a women's sanitation facility in Seithur, Tamil Nadu.
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Fall 2020 - Summer 2021
Our team conducted qualitative interviews with members of the Seithur community to learn about their needs and better understand the current means of defecation in the community.
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Key Takeaways:
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Toilets are a pressing need and will be used if constructed
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Fields are far away and littered with debris, so women feel unsafe due to a lack of privacy in the field
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Open defecation poses a threat to the safety and well-being of the villagers
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Getting snake bites and developing infections are common
Phase I: Research
Phase 2: Additional Research + Implementation
Fall 2021 - Winter 2022
Through various fundraising means (primarily optiMize), our team was able to raise enough funds to install a women's facility. With the aid of our local contact in the community, we were able to invite local masons and mechanics to construct a concrete foundation, build a new water pump, and install 9 pit latrines.
Phase 3: Maintenance
Winter 2022 - continued
Our final phase, which is still ongoing, includes ensuring the maintenance and sustainability of our women's facility. Our team aims to do this by providing the community with the tools and cleaning supplies necessary for toilet maintenance. Furthermore, through the administration of post-implementation interviews, we hope to to gauge the satisfaction of the Seithur residents and their thoughts regarding the construction of the women's facility.
Images from Seithur Project
-- CONSTRUCTION --
-- FINISHED FACILITY --
-- RESIDENTS--
Tirunelveli Education Project
​(current project)
Our next project aims to help 8th-10th grades academically, socially, and economically underprivileged children attain a better education in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. The selected kids are a part of a pilot program that allows them to live in a "Residential Training Center" -- a facility that houses, feeds, and transports these kids to their respective schools
Currently, we are in the research and fundraising phase of our project, which consists of raising funds and looking for ways to better improve these students' education.
Meet Our Team
The Project RISHI E-Board
President
Kavya Chandra
President
Aparna Krishnamurthy
Director of Finance
Nikitha Kamath
Tiruneveli Project Chair
Brindha Rajakumar
Director of Outreach
Vidhya Harini Srinivas
Director of Outreach
Prajna Polamarasetti
Secretary
Misha Patel
Director of Fundraising
Namit Padgaonkar
Director of Member Engagement
Jemima Thomas
At Project RISHI, University of Michigan, we are currently raising funds to assist in the implementation of our Education Project. Our project aims to help socio-economically disadvantaged children in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu attain a better education. The selected children are a part of a pilot program that allows them to live in a "Residential Training Center" -- a facility that houses, feeds, and transports these kids to their respective schools.
Please consider donating to our project as we continue to provide the resources and formulate sustainable solutions to improve the quality of these students' education. Your donations will go towards the construction of the Residential Training and Educational facility, improving infrastructure (computers, supplies, etc.), professional development workshops, and further academic support.
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Donate today and give the gift of a lifetime.
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Thank you!
