The Retreat

The Retreat is located right near Bishop Westcott School in Namkum, which means we get to hear the school bells and the kids playing throughout the day. It is a bit quieter back here compared to the main parts of Ranchi, which is something we actually like. We spend a lot of our time making sure the rooms are tidy and the garden area doesn't look too overgrown. It’s a lot of work keeping up with the dust, especially during the summer months when the wind picks up. Most of us here have lived in Namkum for a long time, so we know the area well. We don't have a big reception desk with people in suits; usually, it’s just one of us sitting there checking the logbooks or drinking a cup of tea between chores. Sometimes the power goes out, and we have to go out back to fix the generator, or a guest needs an extra blanket in the middle of the night. It isn't a flashy place, but it is steady. We try to keep things simple and functional for whoever stays with us. There is always something to fix, whether it is a leaky tap or a squeaky door, so our hands are rarely clean. We just focus on the daily tasks and making sure things are ready for the next person who walks through the door. It’s just a normal way of making a living for us.