Meet the Fellows
The Class of 2024
We are delighted to present the 2024 Class of Ripples of Hope Fellows, who have spent nearly one year together growing and learning as change agents. Their journey began with the 2023 U.S. Immersion and since then they have been meeting at least monthly to enrich their purpose, define their social impact goals, and practice community-based leadership. We are so proud of the people they are and are becoming, and we’re grateful for the leadership roles they will take on during the South Africa Immersion. They will continue to do extraordinary work in their communities, and we look forward to how they will shape this fellowship experience in future years.
Arthur
Tartee USA
Program Associate at the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Athi Ndwebi South Africa Founder and Project Manager of Uyanda Foundation
Danielle Santos USA
Wellness Coach and Mental Health Advocate
Meet the Fellows
The Class of 2024
Deborah Silva USA
Youth Outreach & Special Projects Manager at Campaign for America’s Kids and Families
Pontsho Lebepe
South Africa
Software Developer and Peer Coach at Ikusasa
Lethu Outreach Program and Sizanani
Doan Tran USA
Undergraduate Student at the University of Chicago studying Economics and Global Studies
Lona Magengelele South Africa
Teacher & Entrepreneur Studied Business and International Relations
Sinovuyo Makayi South Africa
Entrepreneur committed to youth empowerment & undergraduate student at University of Cape Town
Zackeen Thomas
South Africa
Master’s Student and Project Administrative Assistant at the University of the Western Cape
Arthur Tartee
Authentic, Reliable, Empathetic he/him
Arthur is a second-year American University School of International Training graduate student. He is also a Program Associate at the American Association for the Advancement of Science–Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Program, where he supports scientists’ and engineers’ understanding of the federal government and policymaking to address societal challenges. Arthur brings a rich background in community engagement and curriculum development from his previous work at the Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, where he developed and implemented the Foundation strategy to foster connections between Bonner graduates and current undergraduates from more than 70 colleges and universities nationwide. He also co-managed the Foundation Racial Justice Grant Initiative which promoted students and community organizations to work collaboratively to dismantle barriers to equality for people of color. Arthur earned a Bachelor’s degree in Leadership Studies and International Studies: World Politics and Diplomacy from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?"
— Martin Luther King Jr.
Athi Ndwebi
Passionate, Empathetic, Visionary he/him
Athi Ndwebi was born and bred in a village called Sir Lowry’s Pass, which is 60 km outside Cape Town, a small village hidden between the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Athi is the Founder of Uyanda Serve in Faith Movement Foundation. He is also in the Council serving on the Ward Committee for the Education sector. At primary school, Athi was part of the Social Transformation Team which stoked his passion for community development and transformation. In 2011, Athi became responsible for teaching disadvantaged, neglected, and orphaned children basic Christian values in order to become mature and responsible citizens.
Through this work, Athi discovered his call to Ministry in the year 2017, and without any hesitation, Athi gave birth to Uyanda Serve in Faith Movement Foundation. Since 2017, Athi has been part of many community development projects, including efforts to strengthen families, provide mentorship, address teenage pregnancy, and support second chance programs. One of the working tools Athi has been using over the past 6 years is house visitation. From visiting door to door, Athi gains insight into families, problems around the community, and the needs of the people, enabling him to take the appropriate measures.
"Empowering communities through compassion and action, forging a path towards social justice and lasting change."
—Athi Ndwebi
Danielle Santos
Courageous, Kind, Committed she/her
Danielle Santos is a dynamic individual that was born and raised in the vibrant city of Boston to Brazilian immigrant parents. Danielle embodies a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives. By the time she was 10 years old, Danielle survived three critical brain surgeries. After her extensive recovery period including a brief coma, she was persistent in making a positive change in her community. As a Peter Gammons 2017 scholar and a graduate of UMass Boston with a degree in Marketing, Danielle has cultivated a deep-rooted passion for research and academia. Throughout her academic tenure, she has not only excelled in her studies but has also held numerous leadership positions, exemplifying her dedication to driving positive change. Currently, Danielle channels her energy into establishing a wellness network tailored for young adults grappling with chronic diseases in the Boston area. Her tireless efforts underscore her compassionate spirit and her commitment to enhancing the lives of others. She currently serves as an official Board Member for Tenacity, a nonprofit that focuses on youth development, literacy, and post secondary success.
“All our dreams will come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
–Walt Disney
Deborah Silva
Compassionate, Resourceful, Enthusiastic she/her
Deborah Silva, a native of Brockton, Massachusetts, was raised by two Brazilian immigrants who instilled in her a deep sense of community and service. Selected as a Project 351 8th Grade Ambassador in 2015, Deborah began her journey in youth-led service and leadership, a path she has passionately pursued ever since. As a first-generation college student, Deborah navigated the challenges of higher education with resilience, immersing herself in language studies, mentoring programs, and community health initiatives. In 2023, Deborah graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tufts University with a major in International Relations and minors in Chinese and Portuguese. Her academic journey not only enriched her understanding of global affairs but also fueled her commitment to grassroots community work. Currently serving as the Youth Outreach and Special Projects Manager for America’s Children's and Families, a national campaign dedicated to fostering civic engagement among Gen-Z, Deborah is dedicated to making service accessible to all. With a vision of promoting culturally sensitive civic education and service learning in communities, Deborah aspires to become a policymaker and advocate who champions inclusive and impactful initiatives.
“If not us, then who? If not now, then when? ”
—John Lewis
Doan Tran
Creative, Resilient, Friendly she/her
Doan was raised in Dorchester (Boston) and Quincy, Massachusetts by Vietnamese immigrant parents. Growing up in a cross-cultural environment, Doan values the importance of storytelling. In 2018, Doan was nominated as an Ambassador for her hometown for Project 351, a non-profit organization in Boston dedicated to empowering Massachusetts’ youth through civic engagement and service learning. With Project 351, Doan served on the Alumni Leadership Council to mentor eighth grade Ambassadors and served as a Playbook Trainer in partnership with the Boston Celtics Community Engagement team to deliver a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice curriculum to middle school students across the state. Doan graduated from Milton Academy in the spring of 2022. She is now heading into her second year at the University of Chicago as an undergraduate student with an intended major in Economics and Global Studies. She has been selected as an LCK Yung Global Scholar with UChicago Global Studies; she will be spending most of her summer in Hong Kong working on an archival research project on the Southeast Asian Diaspora in Hong Kong. Doan actively seeks to connect communities, tell stories, and create change in her second year with Ripples of Hope and in future endeavors.
“You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you don't serve the people.”
—Cornel West
Lona Magengelele
Optimistic, Ambitious, Passionate she/her
Lona is from a small city called East London in South Africa. She has always been passionate about community service and helping people from a young age and that was heavily influenced by her grandmother. She has a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and International Relations. Her major reinforces her conviction that she has the power to change South Africa and create a better future for herself, her generation, and the next generation to come. Lona is currently an online English teacher and an aspiring entrepreneur. One of the things she loves about being a teacher is that she gets to experience parts of the world through her students and gets to learn so much from them. Lona is also currently working on Ivy which is an online lifestyle that acts as a modern guide to living your best life. Their mission is to educate, motivate, and curate a balanced lifestyle achievable to all, by providing content related to health, wellness, beauty, and lifestyle, and create a safe community to be better versions of ourselves. Lona has always shown leadership qualities, and she believes that’s her biggest strength. Her passion to give young people opportunities like she has gotten in the past is what drives her purpose in life.
“Your mission, your purpose and your destiny will all be tied to one thing - your gift.”
—Steve Harvey
Pontsho Lebepe
Virtuous, Resilient, Giving he/him
Pontsho Genius Lebepe studied at the Belgium ITversity where he specialized in Software Development. Beyond academics, Pontsho is an active community member involved in many community building initiatives, especially focusing on youth. He currently serves as a Peer Coach to all of the high schools around Alexandra. He has been the Chairperson of the Student’s Organization around Johannesburg North, where he has helped secure funding for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Across his high school career, he has been involved in many initiatives including participation in the caucus that wrote the school safety framework in South Africa. Pontsho also served as a Safety Officer Ambassador and a Peer Educator Chairperson.
“Even if you encounter opposition, have conviction and finish what you start. In the end, people will understand.”
—Kotaku Wamura
Sino Mankayi
Optimistic, Ambitious, Resilient he/him
Born in the Township of Khayelitsha, Cape Town, Sino later moved to the affluent suburbs of Rondebosch. This gave him a beautiful experience of both worlds that money can never buy. Due to being exposed to the two extremes of society (poverty/wealth), he has joined and led nationally in radical organizations such the Congress of South African Students, the Nelson Mandela Children's Parliament, and the South African Institute of International Affairs. He is currently serving as the Junior Mayor of Cape Town. More is to come in his mission to afford young people a fighting chance in attaining economic freedom not only for themselves but many generations to come! AMANDLA!
“Everything that happens is not happening to you but for you.”
—Byron Katie
Zackeen Thomas
Curious, Caregiver, Changemaker he/him
Zackeen is a young, colored, gay male who grew up in a previously disadvantaged and predominantly colored community called Belhar, in Cape Town, South Africa. Despite facing various socio-economic challenges, his mother and grandmother ensured that he was exposed to spaces that ensured his growth as an individual. As a result, he participated in drama class, and competitive ballroom and Latin dancing. He considers himself an individual who is ambitious, resilient, and hardworking. His passion is to bring about a meaningful contribution in the development of his community, city, country and the world–through academia (producing knowledge), being physically active on the ground through community projects, and hopefully occupying a role as a researcher at any non-profit organization or governmental institution that focuses on sustainable urban water governance. He is currently a Master’s Candidate in Political Science at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and an Assistant Project Administrator at UWC with Economic and Management Science (EMS) Faculty. Additionally, he serves as a mentor at the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and volunteers at Steph's Ladles of Love.
"The glaring injustice is there for all who are not blinded by prejudice to see.”
—Bram Fischer
