Unity High School

Most people think of Goa as just beaches, but here in Valpoi, it's a lot different. Unity High School is tucked away in this quiet, hilly part of the state. We’re surrounded by a lot of trees, and it’s much cooler here than down by the coast. The school itself is a simple structure where we’ve been teaching local kids for years. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else’s business, for better or worse. Our mornings start with the sound of birds and the kids walking up the road to get to class. We don't have high-tech gadgets in every room. We rely on good old-fashioned teaching and a lot of patience. The monsoon season is quite something here; the rain hits the roof so hard you can barely hear yourself talk, so we just have to wait it out or speak a bit louder. We aren't trying to be the most modern school in the world. We just want to make sure the kids in Valpoi have a place to go where they can learn their math and science without having to travel too far. The staff is like a small family, often sharing snacks and stories during the breaks. It’s a very relaxed, grounded atmosphere. We just take things one day at a time and try to do right by the students who come through our doors. It’s a long road, but we stay at it.