Staff, Interns, Volunteers
Jen Barron (Australia) - World Centre Manager
I have been the World Centre Manager at Sangam since December 2011 but I have a long history with Sangam including being a Sangam Volunteer, writing the Sangam Song with Margo Browning and being the Programme Manager from November 2010 to December 2011.
I have degrees in both Education and Social Work. In Australia I live across the Road from the beach in Tasmania and love to spend time doing all kinds of activities in or near the water. At Sangam I live in the Guide House with Sonu the cat!
I am passionate about the work of WAGGGS and excited to have the opportunity to share the Sangam Spirit with you!
Christa Ochocki (USA) - Deputy World Centre Manager: Operations
I'm Christa from the United States. I have been in Girl Scouts since 3rd grade after 2 longs year of begging my mom to let me join - and I haven't looked back! This is my third time back at Sangam. I was a Sangam Volunteer in 2007, the first Community Relations Intern in 2010-11 and now I'm back as Deputy. I love Girl Scouting/Guiding and see it as a wonderful opportunity to achieve the MDGs. I look forward to meeting you at Sangam!
Gwen Lee (Malaysia) - Deputy World Centre Manager: Programme
Salam Kepanduan!
I come from Malaysia. I have been a Guide since I was 13. I am very interested in achieving the MDGs and also work on the women empowerment programme. I believe if everybody takes a tiny step, we can build a better world. But, you still need to dream. My favourite slogan is 'Dare to Dream, Change the World.' Come and join me!
Catherine O'Connor (Ireland) - Guest Services Coordinator
Hello,
I’m Catherine from Ireland and I’m delighted to have taken on the role of Guest Services Coordinator at Sangam. I have been involved with Guiding as a member of the Irish Girl Guides(IGG) since the age of 7 and I even had the opportunity to work for IGG the last four years before I came to Sanagm. I was also a Guide Leader with a great bunch of girls and Leaders in Thurles Guides. This is my fourth time to Sangam, I came first as a participant of a JLS in 2000, then in 2003 as Independent Guest and in 2006 I took part in a event which was linked with a number Sangam’s Community Partners with a group from Ireland. I look forward to helping you plan and orgainse your trip to Sangam and then meeting you with a big smile and CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE in Sangam.
Bronwyn Hughes (Australia) - Programme Coordinator
I'm Bronwyn from Wollongong, Australia. I have been a Girl Guide since the age of 7 which has given me many amazing opportunities. I have previously been a volunteer at Our Cabana, a part of the WAGGGS youth delegations at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change COP 16 and COP 17, Community Relation Intern here at Sangam, and am now excited to be Programme Coordinator! Back home, I am a leader with Senior Guides (14-18 yr olds) and I have just finished studying International Relations and Development Studies which saw me spend a year on exchange in Mexico. I am really lucky to be here as Programme Coordinator, everyday being able to see the opportunities that Guiding and Girl Scouting provides to drive change and make a positive impact, both here in Sangam's local community and worldwide.
Minakshi Jadhav (India) - Community Relations Manager
Hello My name is Mina, I am the Community Relataions Manager for Sangam. I live in Pune with my family. I am in charge of the Community Programme. If you want to know more about the programme or how to be a Tare, click here.
Sayali Gangurde (India) - Guest Services Assistant
Namaste,
I am Sayali from Pune, India and I am the first Guest Service Assistant since Dec 2012. I have been connecting to Sangam since I was 12years. I started as Nevidita Guide which give me an opportunity to work here as an Volunteer in Training for Programme team after few months of growing and learning with Sangam Volunteer`s it made capable of doing thing in other areas such as Community Programme and Guest Services. And I am the Guest Services Assistant.
I love Girl Guiding and making new friends, looking forward to meeting you soon!
Aruna Butala (India) - House and Maintenance Coordinator
I'm Aruna Butala. I have been working at Sangam since 1982. I'm enjoying my work. It is nice to meet many different people from all over the world here at Sangam. In my 30 years of service, I have learned a lot. I am still learning, now I am learning computer and email. I will do my best for Sangam!
Deepak Jadhav (India) - Office Assistant
MaLau Navarro (Costa Rica) - Community Relations Intern
¡Hola! I'm MaLau, form Costa Rica, I have been in guiding since I was 14 years old. I've had great experiences in Guiding and Scouting that have changed my life in a way that I never expected, I have learned a lot about guiding, myself, life and WAGGGS. I´m a leader of a troop of guides and scouts.
I love to have the opportunity to meet new people and know different places. For me being here as Community Relations Intern (CRI) is a dream that came true, I'm really happy to learn, share and grow at Sangam.
Click here to find out more about being an Intern.
Ana Cristina (USA) - Marketing and Communications Intern
Hi! My name is Ana and I'm from Michigan, USA. I have been a Girl Scout since I was six years old and I'm now a Lifetime Member. I came to India last year as a Sangam Volunteer and I loved it so much that I decided to come back! Now I am the Marketing and Communications Intern. I have also had many other opportunities through Girl Scouts, including two GSUSA Destinations, serving as a chaperone for Girls' World Forum in 2012 and being an outdoor skills Facilitator in my council. I am so excited to meet all my wonderful Girl Scouting and Guiding sisters who will visit Sangam during my term!!
Click here to find out more about being an Intern at Sangam World Centre.
Katrina (Australia) - Short Term Winter Sangam Volunteer
Hi! My name is Katrina and I’m from Canberra in Australia. I’ve been a Girl Guide since I was seven years old and have been very lucky to experience so much through Guiding, from local and state events and jamborees, as well as two international jamborees in Melbourne. I’m currently an Assistant District Leader, and have previously worked as a Youth Leader with both Guides and Junior Guides. I’m also on the production team for Canberra Gang Show.
In 2011 I visited Sangam, Our Chalet, Pax Lodge and Our Cabana with a group of women from Australia – a trip that I will never forget. I loved the experience in India and Sangam so much that I wanted to come back, and I am so thrilled to be here now as a Sangam Volunteer! I am looking forward to learning more about WAGGGS and India, developing myself further and meeting all the fabulous participants who come to Sangam during my term.
Click here to find out more about being a Sangam Volunteer.
Rachel (UK) - Long Term Winter Sangam Volunteer
Hello, I am Rachel from the Surrey in the United Kingdom. I have been involved in Guiding since I was 5 years old. I am currently an Assistant Guide Guider, an In4mer, Girlguiding UK’s peer education initiative and a County 4 Coordinator.
I have just graduated from university, where I studied Architecture. Throughout my time at university I became interested in working with architectural non-governmental organizations, therefore being at Sangam allows me the opportunity to experience working with different cultures to understand them more.
I am very excited to be at Sangam and cannot wait to introduce all the visitors to the International World of Guiding.
Click here to find out more about being a Sangam Volunteer.
Sonu
Hey, I'm Sonu the Cat, I've been at Sangam since I was born in June 2011. You'll be able to recognise me because of my bushy tail from where my mum (Trevor) mated with a squirrel.
I live in the Guide House with the WCM, but I pretty much own the place, and I'm very comfortable breaking into dorms through the velcro mosquito netting. I get locked away when people come who have allergies, because apparently they don't like ahring my fur. I also have to wear this silly bell because I like to eat geckos too much and once I ate too many and had to go to the vet and I don't like the vet at all. I'm looking forward to curling up next to you when you come to Sangam so please come soon!!! P.S. I'm also on Facebook if you'd like to be my friend I would love that! Meow!
The Local Staff
Sangam employs staff from the local community. These staff make up two departments at Sangam: the Domestic Team and the Maintenance Team.
Maintenance
Datta [Azoba] Ravie
Sandeep Ghorpade
Atul Pardeshi
Makund Tajane
Sharad Gaikwad
Suraj Kadam
Manik Adhav
Domestic
Padma Gaikwad
Shobha Gaikwad
Shuba Mahamanker
Saroj Jagtap
Shakuntala Vishwasrao
Sangeeta Halunde
Suneeta Bhole
Pushpa Gaikwad
Shahbai Ulhare
Mathura Adhav
