I’ve been sick the past couple of weeks so haven’t had the energy to put something together here, though I did have the idea to introduce you to two of my sisters-in-law (two of five). They both live next door at Worchihan’s parents’ house, so I see them often. I hope you enjoy learning a little bit about them and their lives in the village.
Meet Ningchanwon, who has been married to Worchihan’s youngest brother since 2021. She’s 23 and she and her husband have 2 kids. She’s from the same village as Worchihan and his family, so they’ve always known her and her family.
Meet Lanleiphy, 31. She is the younger of Worchihan’s two sisters. She and Worchihan’s other sister, Semila, run a café at the village junction, a collection of shops that sits on the main road before you leave the village. I have known her since I first visited the village in 2015.
1. Describe your typical day.
Ningchanwon: My typical day in the village looks like this: cooking, feeding my kids, eating lunch with my family, doing the dishes, taking care of my kids, giving my kids a bath, putting them down for naps, cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry, a little bit of rest and preparing dinner.
Lanleiphy: My typical day looks like this: working at my café, housework, gardening, spending time with my family and listening to music.
2. What is your educational history?
Ningchanwon: I have a high school diploma.
Lanleiphy: I have a bachelor’s degree.
3. What do you like about living in the village?
Ningchanwon: I like the environment, the fresh air and living together with my family.
Lanleiphy: The village is peaceful and quiet, the villagers are friendly to everyone and the food is organic.
4. What do you dislike about living in the village?
Ningchanwon: Sometimes we don’t have electricity, sometimes we don’t have enough water and there are not enough jobs.
Lanleiphy: Sometimes you don’t have many friend choices in the village. Education and healthcare are lacking. [Note: There is no healthcare facility in the village. If we need to see a doctor, we have to drive two hours to the nearest town.] The electricity is often off and the cellular network is inconsistent.
5. What do you do for fun in and out of the village?
Ningchanwon: I go for a walk and sometimes visit my mom’s house. I also like to visit other places, like Shirui Peak, and go on picnics.
Lanleiphy: I enjoy local festivities and participate in traditional activities. I make new friends when I visit other villages.
6. Have you ever been out of Manipur, the state where you live?
Ningchanwon: No.
Lanleiphy: Yes. I’ve been to [the northeastern states of] Meghalaya, Assam and Nagaland. I also visited Worchihan and Susan in Thailand.
7. If you didn’t live in the village, where would you like to live?
Ningchanwon: In Ukhrul, where I studied from grade 4 to grade 12
Lanleiphy: In Shillong, Meghalaya, where I completed my bachelor’s degree
8. Describe the village in one word.
Ningchanwon: Beautiful
Lanleiphy: Beautiful
9. What country would you like to visit and why?
Ningchanwon: Japan. It looks like a beautiful country, there are many old, historical places and the food looks good.
Lanleiphy: The US. The people seem friendly and welcoming.
10. What are your future plans?
Ningchanwon: We will build our own house in the next couple of years.
Lanleiphy: I want to get more education and a better job.
Thanks, Ningchanwon and Lanleiphy, for sharing a little bit about yourselves with my blog readers. Blog readers, I have been blessed with these two who have done so much for Worchihan and me.
Loved hearing from your husband's sisters, thank you for sharing :)
Hope you are feeling better.