The Cathedral Vidya School

Living and working up here in Lonavala is different than being in the city. Our place is on the Old Mumbai Pune Highway, right near Karla. The fog gets so thick in the monsoon that you can barely see the gate from the main office. It’s a big campus, so there’s always something that needs fixing, whether it’s a leaky roof or a flickering light in the dorms. We see a lot of traffic passing by on the highway, but once you’re inside, it’s mostly just the sound of the wind. The kids stay here, so it’s like one big, messy house. We eat in the same hall and walk the same paths every day. It’s not always easy keeping everything running smoothly. The monkeys like to steal things if we leave the windows open. We spend a lot of time making sure everyone is where they should be. It’s a lot of walking up and down the hills on the property. Sometimes the internet goes out when the weather is bad, and we just have to wait it out. It’s a practical life, focused on getting the lessons done and making sure everyone is fed. The buildings have that weathered look from all the heavy rain we get. We don't try to be anything we aren't; it’s just a place for learning and living in the hills. Most days are just about routine and keeping things steady.