I was born and raised in Kabuikhullen village, Noney District, Manipur. Growing up as the fourth child in a family of seven siblings, life was always full of joy, laughter, and the occasional quarrel. Being part of a big family meant there was always someone to lean on, and we learned to help one another through the ups and downs. Our home in Kabuikhullen was surrounded by the beauty of the hills, and my childhood was spent running through the fields and living in harmony with nature.
I completed my high school education in Noney, studying from class 1 to 10 there. Life was simple until I began to see the struggles my parents faced trying to provide for all of us. With seven children, the financial strain of education became more and more evident. By 2013, our family made a big move, shifting from our native village to Makuilongdi village in Senapati District, where we currently live.
But even in our new home, the challenge of affording higher education remained. After I completed my 12th grade, my family faced the harsh reality that they wouldn’t be able to send me to college. It felt like the end of the road, but then, a miracle happened. Sunbird Trust entered our lives. I was one of the 35 lucky students selected by Sunbird Trust to study in Bangalore. That moment was a turning point for me. It opened the door to opportunities I had never thought possible.
Leaving for Bangalore and studying at St. Joseph’s College (SJC) was both exciting and daunting. The bustling city was a far cry from the quiet hills of Makuilongdi, but I was determined to make the most of this opportunity.
I pursued a degree in Political Science, driven by a desire to understand the world and how I could contribute to making it better for people like my family and village. I graduated from SJC in 2020. After completing my degree, I decided to take a year off to reflect and gain some real-world experience. During that year, I volunteered as an intern with Sunbird Trust in a remote village called Aben, in Tamenglong District. It was an isolated area, far from development, where the poor road conditions made transportation difficult, especially during the rainy season. Despite the hardships, the people of Aben were incredibly kind and welcoming.
My role was to teach the primary school kids, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I learned so much from those children and from living in such a close-knit community.
Today, I work as a Sponsorship Associate with Sunbird Trust, the very organization that changed my life. My job involves helping deserving students access the same kind of support that I was fortunate enough to receive. As a former sponsored student myself, I understand the challenges these students face. I spend my time traveling to different schools and villages, conducting seminars, orientations, and interviewing students and their families. Listening to their stories and guiding them on their educational journey is a deeply fulfilling part of my work. Looking back, I realize how far I’ve come — from the hills of Kabuikhullen to now working with Sunbird Trust, helping others achieve their dreams. I’ve had the privilege of experiencing both worlds — the simplicity of village life and the complexity of the wider world — and I want to continue building bridges between them. Hey, if you’re still reading this, I want you to know that it’s not just the story above but also that there are times when I am concerned that if I do not accomplish or achieve things in the future, I may disappoint my supporters. However, I sometimes encourage myself by reminding myself that I can and will do it, and that whatever I achieve is a reflection of what every supporter accomplishes as a whole.
About the author:
Baruisalu Onrwan hails from Makuilongdi village in Manipur and works as a Junior Sponsorship Associate at Sunbird Trust. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore. With a deep interest in music, sports, and diverse cultures, she values discipline, teamwork, and cultural understanding in both her personal and professional life.
