Nothing is more important than my children's health

I headed out towards Thuampui on a hot Wednesday morning from office at 11 a.m. I took the safe and comfortable local bus to get there. Thuampui is located on the far corner of Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram. I finally reached my destination at 12 noon and walked down the Thuampui road towards Vanlalnguri's house.

 

 

I met Vanlalnguri and her little son halfway down the hill. She then lead the way towards her house and I followed. She took me through a short-cut where we climbed over a wire fence. When we reached her house I started off with the informal interview. I learnt that Vanlalnguri is a 33-year-old mother of three children. Her 16-year-old son is married and lives with his wife. She has a 6-year-old and a 2-year-old daughter as well. Her husband is a BSF (Border Security Force) jawan who is posted in Kashmir. He earns about Rs. 15,000 a month. He returns home only twice a year which often makes Vanlalnguri lonely as she has to take care of the children alone.They spent all their savings on their daughters operation which costed Rs. 45,000. The doctors initially thought it was her tonsils but later realised that she had a tumor in her esophagus.
 

 

Vanlalnguri and the other four group members have taken an enterprise loan from Milaap of Rs. 75,000 to help them out with their respective businesses. Vanlalnguri bought two piglets with the Milaap loan, each costing Rs. 4500 and is using the remaining to raise them. She hopes to save some of her earnings for security, as she fears that they will not have enough money if her daughter gets ill again. The other members are Lalfakzuali, Zonuntluangi, Lalnunnemi, and Lalramhngaki. They used the loan to expand their poultry, piggery, and beauty parlour business. They have not had any difficulties for the past three months in the repayment of the loan and are confident that they will be able to pay the entire amount on time. They are extremely grateful for this opportunity and would love to take the loan again.