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.

One additional student author removed at their request.

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