From SAYVA’s CEO: What SAYVA Means to Me

Hi! My name is Alisha Durbhakula, and I am so excited to be SAYVA’s CEO for the 2025-2026 year! 

SAYVA, which means service in Sanskrit, is the South Asian Youth Volunteer Association. It is more than just a community service organization. At its heart, SAYVA brings together South Asian youth who want to make a difference in their communities and beyond, while celebrating culture in fun and meaningful ways. 

What I love most about SAYVA is how it blends cultural celebration with hands-on service. From large-scale fundraisers supporting breast cancer research to creative events that combine tradition and purpose, SAYVA gives young people the tools and leadership opportunities to make a real impact. My favorite event, the Diwali Mock Wedding, connects the South Asian community in the DMV with dancing, speeches, and overall celebrations, all while fundraising for Rise Against Hunger to feed the hungry.

Beyond the numbers and events, what makes SAYVA special is the human connection. Projects like the Party Project, where we host birthday celebrations for children in shelters, remind me that even small acts of service can make a big difference in someone’s life. The pure excitement in their faces when we sing and hand out cupcakes recalls what SAYVA is truly about.