Listen Before Acting
Center the perspectives of community members and local partners when identifying needs, defining success, and evaluating results. Projects should be shaped with the strengths of our communities, not simply delivered to them.
Project RISHI at UC Irvine
Project RISHI at UC Irvine.
A student-led organization advancing sustainable, community-centered initiatives through health, education, technology, service, and long-term partnership.
Project RISHI at UC IrvineOur founding chapter team
R
RuralI
IndiaS
SocialH
HealthI
ImprovementOur mission
Community priorities guide every initiative.
Our mission is to promote the sustainable development and growth of rural Indian communities.
In partnership with community members, local leaders, and social enterprises, Project RISHI works to understand issues identified by the communities we serve and connect those priorities with practical resources, research, and student-led action.
Our UCI chapter is preparing for its first visit to our partner village, Saldi, Gujarat, in December 2026. The planned visit will give members an opportunity to learn directly from the village sarpanch, doctors, teachers, farmers, and community members before developing future initiatives.
Read our story and values →What we are working toward
Our chapter goals
Build Durable Solutions
Prioritize initiatives that can be maintained locally, strengthened over time, and adapted as community needs evolve. Our version of success means creating progress that can continue over time.
Work Across Disciplines
Bring together students interested in health, education, technology, sustainability, public policy, and community engagement—all interconnected aspects of health improvement.
Practice Accountability
Research carefully, communicate honestly, manage funds responsibly, and measure the outcomes of each initiative. We aim to preserve cultural responsibility by seeking context, humility, and local expertise in every phase of our work.
Our principles
Service grounded in respect.
Meaningful development requires trust, cultural responsibility, and equal-stakes partnership. These principles shape how we learn, plan, and work together.
A
Community Partnership
B
Cultural Responsibility
C
Multifaceted Action
D
Long-term Sustainability
How our chapter works
Prepared at UCI. Planning for Saldi.
During the academic year, members work diligently to research committee priorities, prepare educational materials, raise funds, and build relationships with local partners. Our planned annual winter trip will focus on clinical and educational work while creating the foundation for future initiatives.
Locally, club members also serve the Orange County area through free-clinic support, stem-cell donor awareness, environmental volunteering, donation drives, and student mentorship. Our goal is to help our home here as students, as well as our home abroad.
View our 2026–2027 plans →
Explore our chapter