Hemang Srikishan

Inspire Curiousity Through Science (Rapar, Kutch (Gujarat))

In January 2008, Hemang Srikishan joined the Cohesion Foundation Trust for a hands-on science project with children of migrant laborers outside of Rapar, Kutch. Before serving with Indicorps, Hemang was an interfaith youth activist on the University of Illinois campus and taught as a short-term science teacher in middle and high schools outside of Chicago. His love for being with youth led him from his B.A. in psychology towards youth education. Hemang is excited to collaborate with his community to devise teaching methods and applications of science that are relevant to and beneficial for the students.

hemang08@indicorps.net

Priti Shah

Leverage Environmental Acumen (Santrampur, Panchmahal, Gujarat)

Strengthen the traditionally eco-friendly lifestyle of rural communities. Leverage inherent environmental aptitude to generate new livelihood options for youth.

priti08@indicorps.net

Sowmya Somnath

Improve Sanitation in Practice (Sindhanur, Raichur district; Karnataka)

Sowmya Somnath is a registered Professional Engineer and has nine years of structural engineering design experience throughout the United States. As a January 2008 fellow, Sowmya collaborated with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) to improve community water, sanitation and hygiene education and awareness in Sindhanur, Karnataka.
Married to a former Peace Corps volunteer (Ghana, \'97-\'99), Sowmya and her husband are in the process of moving from Tucson, Arizona to Chennai to implement community-based water management projects. Sowmya sits on the Board of Directors for the Watershed Management Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to community development and environmental conservation. She has also served as a professional mentor to the University of Arizona chapter of Engineers without Borders where she assisted with the design of a community water filtration project in Ghana. She is excited to bring her engineering skills and community development experience to her work in Sindhanur where she hopes to combine appropriate water and sanitation technology with education and behavioral change.


sowmya08@indicorps.net