A student-led community project

Inspired by Archie.Built forshelter dogs.

We bring people together to build doghouses and donate them to local dog shelters — learning real hands-on skills and making tails wag along the way.

Illustration of Archie the Cavapoo sitting beside a blue Project Archie doghouse with a build checklist and drill
Meet Archie
Our 3-step mission

How a pile of timber becomes a dog's new home

Fresh timber and plywood panels loaded in a car trunk, materials for a Project Archie doghouse build day01
CHAPTER 01

Build Together

Students and friends gather for hands-on build days. No experience needed — just a willingness to pick up a drill, learn practical woodworking skills, and laugh a lot while doing it.

A hand-painted teal and grey Project Archie doghouse with paw prints and a bone motif, donated to a local dog shelter02
CHAPTER 02

Donate to Shelters

Every finished doghouse is delivered to a local dog shelter, giving dogs in need a warm, safe place of their own while they wait for their forever homes.

The first Project Archie doghouse prototype painted blue and yellow, proof of the impact students make for shelter dogs03
CHAPTER 03

Make an Impact

Each build leaves two legacies: a doghouse that shelters a dog, and a student who walks away with new skills, new friends, and proof that small hands-on projects can change a community.

The story

Why I started Project Archie

Hey, I'm Imran — a medical student who has developed a real interest in surgery, especially Orthopaedics.

After attending a few hands-on events where I had to figure out drills and basic building tasks on the fly, I realized I could use more practice.

A few friends and I started thinking: what if we could build those hands-on skills while also giving back to the community? Named after my energetic Cavapoo, Archie, the idea became Project Archie.

Hands-on learning + community impact

Imran, co-founder of Project Archie, standing beside red telephone boxes
Imran, co-founder
Imran and a friend holding Archie the Cavapoo, the dog who inspired Project Archie
...and Archie himself
Project Archie volunteers standing together behind the doghouses they built

Our Volunteers Make It Happen

Project Archie volunteers show up with tools in hand and compassion in heart. This is what community looks like.

Our impact so far

0Dog Houses Built
0Shelters & Partners Served
0+Student Volunteers
0%Free — Every Single One
The pack

Meet the humans behind the doghouses

A student team of founders, presidents, treasurers, and storytellers — all learning by building.

Imran, co-founder of Project Archie, in his medical school white coat

Imran Kyeso

Co-Founder

No matter what you believe in, we've all been provided with immense capabilities and the responsibility to demonstrate true humanity during our short stay in this world. As we grow Project Archie, our team aims to cultivate something that transforms ideas into action by bringing people together as we create change, kindness, and hope, one doghouse at a time. Through the smallest acts of compassion, we can inspire a life lived with generosity and love.

Leadership

Mohammed Al Mahdawi, Co-Founder of Project Archie, at the beach

Mohammed Al Mahdawi

Co-Founder

Hello, my name is Mohammed, and I'm a fourth-year student at SDSU pursuing a double major in Biology and Psychology on the pre-med track. I'm passionate about helping others and finding meaningful ways to give back to my community. I helped co-found Project Archie because I wanted to bring people together to support dogs in need throughout San Diego. I'm excited to build doghouses, develop new hands-on skills, and be part of a project that can make a positive difference in the community.

Haneen Kyeso, Co-President of Project Archie

Haneen Kyeso

Co-President

Hi everyone, my name is Haneen Kyeso! As a dog lover, being involved in Project Archie is something I've always dreamed about doing. From my pup to yours, we hope to support our community one dog house at a time.

Maria Nouri, Co-President of Project Archie, at the waterfront

Maria Nouri

Co-President

Hi everyone, my name is Maria Nouri! I've always loved dogs, so when I first heard about Project Archie it immediately stood out to me. I think it's a really fun and unique way to give back to our community and help shelter dogs at the same time.

Finance Committee

Majd Hanna, Head Treasurer of Project Archie

Majd Hanna

Head Treasurer

Hello everyone! My name is Majd Hanna, and I will be serving as the head Treasurer for Project Archie. I am a third year Biology major at SDSU on the pre-med track. I decided to join Project Archie because of the community built around it, and the hands-on skills it helps strengthen. As Treasurer I will be leading the finance team, and focus on fundraising to fund events. I can't wait to see what this organization can become!

Mark Rassam, Finance Committee member at Project Archie

Mark Rassam

Finance Committee

Hi, I'm Mark! I'm interested in Project Archie because I want to gain more hands-on experience building things while giving back to the community. As someone who plans to pursue a career in medicine, I enjoy opportunities that let me learn practical skills, work with a team, and make a positive impact for local shelter dogs.

Bella Fathalla, Finance Committee member at Project Archie

Bella Fathalla

Finance Committee

Hi everyone, I'm Bella. I am a first-year undergraduate student at UCLA, majoring in Physiological Science with aspirations of becoming a neurologist. I joined Project Archie with the hope of making a positive impact on the community around me and fostering strong bonds within it.

Janel Alnajjar, Finance Committee member at Project Archie

Janel Alnajjar

Finance Committee

Hi everyone, I'm Janel Alnajjar! I joined Project Archie because I've had a deep love for animals ever since I was a kid. I'm super excited to be a part of this team and can't wait to make a positive impact together!

Joseph Gammoh, Finance Committee member at Project Archie

Joseph Gammoh

Finance Committee

Hi everyone, I'm Joseph Gammoh. I joined Project Archie because I wanted to make a positive difference in my community and help people in need. I also wanted to meet others who care about giving back and work together to create meaningful change.

Marian Khudhur, Finance Committee member at Project Archie

Marian Khudhur

Finance Committee

Hi! My name is Marian Khudhur, and I joined Project Archie because I love making an impact in my community. I enjoy helping animals, and I believe every dog deserves a safe place that they can call home!

Fadi Abdulnoor, Finance Committee member at Project Archie

Fadi Abdulnoor

Finance Committee

Hello, my name is Fadi, and I'm a second-year physiological science student at UCLA. I'm passionate about finding ways to bring positivity into the lives of others. I joined Project Archie because I enjoy working with others to deliver aid where it's needed within communities, especially for the dogs in San Diego. I am excited to get to work and build dog houses while being part of a project that makes a difference in the life of an animal in need.

Nasif Fathalla, Finance Committee member at Project Archie

Nasif Fathalla

Finance Committee

Hello, my name is Nasif Fathalla. I'm a second-year student at UCLA studying Psychobiology on the pre-dental track. I joined Project Archie because I love the idea of doing hands-on work that can have a positive impact on dogs in need. I'm looking forward to learning new skills, working with a great group of people, and helping make a difference in the lives of these dogs.

Community Outreach

Mariam Almukhtar, Community Outreach at Project Archie

Mariam Almukhtar

Community Outreach

Hi everyone! My name is Mariam Almukhtar, and I am studying Physiological Science at UCLA with hopes of pursuing a career in the medical field. I joined Project Archie because it offers such a compassionate and meaningful way to give back to the community while bringing people together through teamwork. I love that this project addresses an issue that often does not receive the attention and support it deserves, while also helping raise awareness about the scarcity and need within the community. I am incredibly excited to contribute to a meaningful cause and work alongside an amazing group of people!

Yara Taiz, Community Outreach at Project Archie

Yara Taiz

Community Outreach

Hi everyone, my name is Yara Taiz! I am an undergraduate student at SDSU majoring in Biology in hopes to one day become a doctor. I joined Project Archie because I am eager to contribute to something that will have a positive impact on our community!

Yara Ibraheem, Social Media Director at Project Archie

Yara Ibraheem

Social Media Director

Hi!! I'm Yara, an undergrad student at UCSD majoring in Human Biology on the pre-med path. I joined Project Archie because not only do I love animals, but I also enjoy community service and teamwork, which Project Archie combines into a fun and fulfilling experience. I'm excited to work with a great team, contribute to an impactful cause, and share amazing memories together!

Local love

Dog shelter volunteering in San Diego

Project Archie is a student-led community service initiative bringing hands-on dog shelter volunteering to San Diego. Our student volunteers — from local high schools and colleges around San Diego — gather for build days, pick up real woodworking skills, and hand-deliver every finished doghouse to a local San Diego dog shelter.

If you've been looking for a meaningful way to give back to the San Diego community, learn practical skills, and help shelter dogs find comfort while they wait for their forever homes — this is it.

Why San Diego students join us

  • Weekend doghouse build days around San Diego
  • Every doghouse donated to local San Diego dog shelters
  • Open to local high school and college students
  • No experience needed — we teach you everything
Get involved

Grab a drill. Join the pack.

Volunteer at a build day, or reach out about shelter partnerships, donations, and materials.

Volunteer sign-up

No experience needed — we teach you everything on the day.

Questions? Reach out!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at projectarchiee@gmail.com — or send us a message right here:

PROJECT ARCHIE

"Built with care. Driven by compassion."

projectarchiee@gmail.comProject.archie

Inspired by Archie the Cavapoo. Built for shelter dogs. A student-led community service initiative.