Our Chalet family

Tsion Fisseha (Ethiopia) : Guest Services Intern

I am Tsion from Ethiopia. I am now a website administrator on Hulecast. Guiding has helped me to discover more about my self and to become the best version of me. With my Girl Guiding team in Ethiopia we have been doing a lot to empower young women and girls, recently we had the chance to meet a woman who works on producing reusable pads and we provided the reusable pads to vulnerable women with training. I am the one who designed the Ethiopia Girls Guiding Association logo. I am the first from Ethiopia to visit Our Chalet ☺ and I am very excited to see what this summer has to offer.

Tionge Msukwa (Malawi) : Kitchen Intern

My Name is Tionge Msukwa, I am 25 years old, I have been in Guiding for 17 years, I joined Malawi Girl Guides Association when I as a Brownie. I am serving as a Regional Youth Chair with Malawi Girl Guides Association (reading the youth from 9 districts in Central Region) I am also a board member. Being in Guiding for many years I have gained a lot of skills and experiences, in 2017 I was in Madagascar for Youth Exchange South to South (YESS) driven by passion for work that improves the lives of young people. I am so excited to work with Our Chalet as the Kitchen Intern and can’t wait to meet and to learn about other Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from

around the world.

Audrey French (Australia) : Our Chalet Assistant

Hi! My name’s Audrey, I’m 18 years old and I’m from Perth in Western Australia. I’ve been a Girl Guide for over 11 years now and I’ve done lots of amazing stuff because of it, I’ve been camping in Tasmania, hiking in the Canadian Rockies, and earlier this year I participated in the pilot program #Team Girl Forum (a simulation of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women) in my home state. Now I’m working at Our Chalet in the beautiful Swiss Alps for the summer, and I’m hoping to do even more in the future.

Lindsey Walden (USA): Our Chalet Assistant

Hey there! I’m Lindsey, I am from the United States. I joined Girl Scouts at five years old and I am now a lifetime member. I am also a Gold Award recipient for a project based on child wellness. As a child, I grew up hearing stories about Our Chalet from my Mother and Grandmother who visit frequently. When I was fourteen I was able to visit the Chalet with my Girl Scout Troop; immediately I fell in love. This led me to volunteer in Summer 2018 and take on the role of Our Chalet Assistant for Summer 2019. Currently, I am a student at Colgate University in upstate New York pursuing a degree in Economics with a minor in Art History. This fall I will be studying in Copenhagen, Denmark. I am excited to work at Our Chalet this summer and explore more of what Switzerland has to offer as well as meet new people and make new friends!

Maria Luz Castro (Argentina) : Our Chalet Assistant

Hola! Hello! My name is Maria Luz, I’m 24 years old. I’m from Argentina. I have been a Guide since I was 7 years old and now I’m the leader of a group which we call “Solar” they are between 13 and 16 years old. In 2012 I went to Our Cabana with my group to take part in the Independence Event. This is my first time in Europe and also the first time I have travelled alone! Our Chalet is amazing! The landscapes seem to be from a child’s stories. This is really exciting and a great experience!

Megan 'Pythe' Courter (USA) : Our Chalet Assistant

Hi, I’m Pythe, one of the Our Chalet Assistants this summer! I’m 24, I’m from California, USA, and I’ve been a Girl Scout since I was 9. I’ve worked at a Girl Scout summer camp for six years and had many adventures there. Here at Our Chalet, I hope to have many more adventures, and have new stories to tell and songs to sing when I go home!

Esther Wearmouth (Australia) : Our Chalet Assistant

I'm Esther from Queensland, Australia and an Our Chalet Summer Assistant for 2019. I joined Guides in 2010 as an adult member and since then have been at different times a Unit Leader, District Manager and an Olave (18-30s program in Australia). Since joining Guides I've grown so much in self-confidence and love that I'm able to assist in empowering girls to grow themselves through our unit programs and events. I'm looking forward to all the outdoor activities Our Chalet and the surrounds have to offer, facilitating others to enjoy them also and all the beautiful green scenery!

Tanya Tulloch (USA) : World Centre Manager

I have been at Chalet since 2013, arriving from Beaverton, Oregon where I worked for Columbia River Girl Scout Council for 12 years as a manager. As a Girl Scout growing up in Kentucky I liked to participate in adventure activities like rappelling, hiking and camping. I have fallen in love with snow sports during my adult life in the Cascade Mountains.

The idea of reaching the mission of WAGGGS through the outdoor adventure and leadership experiences is what draws me to Our Chalet. My background is in camp management, volunteer development and strategic planning. I am proud to call Adelboden and the mountains of Switzerland home and look forward to sharing them with you.

Rosie Greaves (UK) : Guest Services Coordinator

Hi I'm Rosie and I'm from from Cambridgeshire in the UK. In 2010 I was a Spring Volunteer here at Our Chalet. Since then, I have mostly been working in France, but have managed to make regular return visits. Now I'm very excited to be back in the Swiss Alps. I have been involved in Guiding since I was five. I continue to help out at my local Rainbow, Brownie and Guide meetings and events whenever during my flying visits to the UK. In my free time, I enjoy horse riding, hiking, exploring new hiking routes as well as re-visiting my old favourites. In the winter I am like to play in the snow and try to ski. I also enjoy exploring new cities and countries, trying new food and hopefully learning some of the local language along the way.

Sarah Wach (USA) : Deputy World Centre Manager - Programme

I'm Sarah and I am from sunny Miami, Florida in the USA. I've been a Scout for over 20 years and have filled many roles within the movement, eventually finding my home here at Our Chalet. Growing up near the ocean means I spent a lot of time snorkelling, SCUBA diving and kayaking, but relish the opportunity to spend so much time playing in the snow in this winter paradise. I try to get outdoors as much as possible, using my free time to hike, raft, sledge and ski. Here at Our Chalet my heart lies in the programmes and the people. I especially enjoy challenging young people to try things they never thought possible (both guests and staff alike).

Chiara Bartolucci (Italy) : Programme Coordinator

Ciao, my name is Chiara and I come from a lovely medieval Italian town called Viterbo. I have been committed to Scouting and Guiding since the age of 6 and still am, because I believe in the positive changes Scouting and Guiding bring in people’s lives and in the changes people could in their turn bring to their communities.

What brought me to Chalet is eagerness to be part of a team able to provide to all those who will come to experience Our Chalet and its challenges the opportunity to discover more about themselves and WAGGGS mission, as well as how to be more engaged in it.

I am a passionate being always up for new adventures and discoveries, trying out new things and learning something new from other people. From hiking an over 3.000 m Alp to a chill board game night; I love them all!

Adrian Topic (Slovenia) : Grounds and Maintenance Assistant

My name is Adrian, I am 30 years old and I come from Slovenia. For the last few years I have been working as a professional truck driver. I have always loved nature and the outdoors ever since I was a child, especially the forest. I have also been a volunteer fire fighter for the past 15 years. I am looking forward to working at Our Chalet and discovering more about life here in the Swiss Alps.

Karin Josi-Pieren (Switzerland) : Bookkeeper

Grüessech (Hello)! I am Karin, the bookkeeper. I grew up in Adelboden and now live with my family here in the beautiful, refreshing Swiss Alps. I chose to work for Our Chalet because it's very lively and challenging. I am pleased to welcome you to Our Chalet and my home village. Have a nice stay!

Sonia Epaminondas (Burundi) : Kitchen Manager

Hello again I am Sonia and I am from Burundi. I was here in 2016 and am glad to be back hoping to add more flavor and delights in the kitchen.

I enjoy sharing my experiences with all volunteers and staff at Our Chalet, and I am grateful for the opportunity to play a part in so many lives. It is an amazing experience being here - come join us!

Ray Davis (UK) : Deputy World Centre Manager - Operations

I grew up in the UK where I was involved in both Girlguiding and Scouting. As an adult I spent several years living in the USA, in Alaska, Massachusetts, and Oregon. I also worked in Austria and Sweden and spent six months in New Zealand. In my free time I like to be outdoors and enjoy hiking, kayaking, sledding, and cycling. I also enjoy flying and have flown light aircrafts solo.

Skippy Storrow (Switzerland) : Mouse catcher

Skippy is from Adelboden in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Her Scouting experience is vast. She has spent much of her time at Our Chalet and is currently our longest serving staff member.

She loves to explore the grass, eat bugs, mice and protect the grounds from possible predators like marmots and slugs. In her free time she enjoys sleeping in the sunshine or a cardboard box on someone's desk.

Meow.