Himalayan foothills near Bharog Baneri
UC Berkeley Chapter

ProjectRISHI

Rural India Social & Health Improvement

Why we exist

Our Mission

Project RISHI promotes the sustainable development and growth of rural Indian communities. We continually expand our resources to support our villagers — identifying issues central to our target communities and providing the means to implement solutions through extensive field research and on-campus initiatives.

Project RISHI members in the field

2008

Berkeley chapter founded

1,400

Residents in Bharog Baneri

4

Active project teams

What we do

Four teams, One village

Our work in Bharog Baneri is carried out by four project teams, each tackling a different pillar of sustainable development.

Water & Sanitation

Water & Sanitation

The Water & Sanitation team is committed to increasing safe, clean water access across Bharog Baneri while expanding agricultural education focused on sustainable farming practices. Through environmental education, farming resources, and community workshops, we help strengthen crop resilience during water shortages and support long-term food security. We build rainwater-harvesting systems, test common drinking-water sources, and rebuild and clean heavily used wells for safe drinking use. Our goal is to ensure the village has access to clean, safe water and also promote sustainable agricultural development.

Women's Empowerment

Women's Empowerment

Our Women's Empowerment team is committed to creating lasting impact by uplifting and supporting women across rural India. Through menstrual-health education, skill-building workshops, and economic-opportunity initiatives, we work to empower women with the tools and resources they need to flourish. From reusable-pad distribution events to partnerships with local entrepreneurs, our mission is simple: to amplify voices, foster independence, and build stronger communities together.

How we work

5-Step Methodology

01Understand
02Research
03Finance
04Implement
05Evaluate

Join us

We recruit at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters. Register your interest and we’ll reach out with next steps.

See recruitment dates

Become a donor

We appreciate donations of all sizes — they keep us running and directly support our work in Bharog Baneri.

Donate now