Meet the Team

The Economy Team

	Emily Herries WPI Class of 2011, Industrial Engineering The moment I heard about the Cape Town Project Center I knew I wanted to be a part of it. The idea of going to a country where the culture is so different and actually being able to help people there has always been a goal of mine. This project has turned into a truly life changing experience and I know I’ve grown as a person since the start of it. I’m going to get so much out of this and I will definitely never forget it.
	Kayla Schutte WPI Class of 2011, Environmental Studies Sustainability is something I’ve always been interested in, and this project experience was better than I ever could have expected, the opportunity to travel to the beautiful country of South Africa, and work with a community organization that is working to implement the environmental conservation practices that I study in school was absolutely amazing.
	James Silvia WPI Class of 2011, Electrical & Computer Engineering The opportunity to visit South Africa and to work on sustainable redevelopment in an informal settlement was something that I refused to pass up. As my first project center choice, I was excited to experience Cape Town, a unique city that I never thought I’d get the chance to visit. Throughout my time here I have learned a lot about life outside of the United States by studying the complex parts that make up informal settlements.
	Jen Spinney WPI Class of 2011, Computer Science I came to Cape Town because I saw an opportunity to make a real difference in the world. At this project centre, I felt like I was contributing to something much more important than a typical school project. I chose to work on the economy team in particular because I believe a solid local economy is the foundation on which all other real, sustainable change can come. I sincerely hope the work we’ve done here will help provide that foundation and bring at least a few people a step closer to achieving their own aspirations.

The Co-Researchers

Zimkhita Lobishe

Lives in Endlovini A-section
Age: 20
Originally from the King Williem, Eastern Cape
I live with my mother and sister. I have one son named Ahlumelo. My hobbies are watching TV and cooking. In my spare time I go to church. In the future I want to study and go further in life. I see myself as a lawyer. On my father’s side of the family there are about 25 people and there are 30 on my mother’s side.
This is who I am and who I want to be in life.

Bongeka Dumbulu

Lives in Endlovini A-section
Age: 23
Originally from the Tsolo, Eastern Cape
I live with 2 brothers and 2 sisters
My hobbies are watching TV and reading newspapers
I have a daughter named Avela

Please contact students via ct09econ@wpi.edu until May 2011, and ctpc@wpi.edu thereafter.