Koonam Alp School

If you are driving along the Highway Road in Andheri East, you might see the Ambika Tower standing there. We are located in Gala No A3, which is not a very big space, but it is where Koonam Alp School operates every day. Being so close to the highway means there is a constant hum of engines and horns, which just becomes part of the background after a while. The gala itself is a simple room that we have divided up to make space for the students and the teachers. It is a bit of a tight squeeze sometimes, especially when everyone arrives at the same time. The floor is just plain tile and the walls are painted a light color to try and make the space feel a bit bigger. We don't have a big playground or a fancy cafeteria, so the kids usually just gather in the small area we have during their breaks. It is a very practical setup for a school in such a busy part of Mumbai. People in the building know us well, and we see the same faces every morning when we come to open up the shutters. Sometimes the electricity flickers when the weather is bad, but we just keep the lessons going with the windows open for light. We aren't trying to be anything other than a local school providing a place for kids to learn near their homes. It is hard work but it feels right to be here in the middle of Andheri.