Sydney Sapper
President

Sydney is committed to finding sustainable development solutions to the world’s toughest challenges using community-driven and human-centered design. She is passionate about water and the ripple effect it has on women and their communities, believing that WASH is the foundation for meaningful progress in global health and development. Sydney has nearly ten years of experience delivering high-quality project management and technical assistance and has field experience in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Sydney is pursuing an MSc in Water and Sanitation for Development and is an International Water Association & Cranfield Water Science Institute Excellence Scholar. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in International Development and Sociology from Tulane University and a professional certificate in Sustainable Community Development from Colorado State University. In her freetime time, Sydney enjoys travel, American football, time in the sun or near water, and crossword puzzles.

Elvis Mwesigwa
Vice President

Elvis is a specialist Civil Engineer, with experience in Hydrology and Hydraulic designs as well as water supply and distribution design systems. He is a Chevening scholar from Uganda pursuing an MSc in Water and Sanitation for Development. A seasoned and experienced Geographic Information Systems specialist with substantial exposure to surveys, measurements and quantities of works. Easily adapts to new niches and is a great leader and team player with project planning and management skills and can attain the best results with requisite guidance given any task.

Hilke Schweer 
Treasurer

I’m the SAFAD Treasurer 2021/22 and am currently pursuing my MSc. in Advanced Water Management at Cranfield University. I have a background in Economics and Environmental Sciences. Growing up on a small farm in Germany and having worked at a company developing a low-cost smart water monitor let me become passionate about water quality and the interconnectivity between the environment, health and economic activities. At SAFAD, I want to support other Cranfield students to go on projects and connect people to finding and implementing solutions to the world’s growing water crisis. 

Orchella Vofo Teyimgue
Project Officer

I’m Orchella, a MSc student in Water and Sanitation for Development at Cranfield University as well as a MSc student in Water Science Engineering at Polytech Montpellier. The development sector has always been of great interest to me and it moved me to study water engineering, for this vital resource is still unaccessible to many. I believe that no matter how small an individual or collective impact is, it is fundamental to bringing about change. As a SAFAD project officer this year, I will put my mastering of different languages (French, English and Spanish) and other skills gathered throughout my studies and internships at the service of SAFAD. Completely in line with my current MSc, it’s a pleasure for me to contribute in a way, to the building of long-lasting development projects.

Viplove Sharma
Fundraising Chair

I am currently pursuing MSc in Management degree at Cranfield University School of Management. I hold an honours in Zoology from India. My deep-seated interest in the environment related issues arises from my roots in environmental studies since high school and right up to my undergrad. SAFAD’s work in improving water supply, sanitation, water quality and hygiene in several countries around the world was an eye-catcher for me and really enhanced my interest in SAFAD’s activities. Moreover, I have been engaged in social work back in India related to poverty-alleviation, education of poor children, and their upliftment through an NGO – SF Helping Hands Society – which has always driven me to do for needy in whatever capacity I can. I believe SAFAD with its charitable acts and volunteer activities serves the right platform for me to continue doing so.