Viphrünü Chüsi (Aviphrü) with her husband and daughter, who she says are her inspiration.
Rebecca Kits Jakhalu
Kohima | April 5
In Kohima, Viphrünü Chüsi (Aviphrü), a mother of a 3-year-old has created a faith-based toy line that aims to turn Bible stories fun and interesting for children through hands-on play.
Thon Toy Story was launched in March 2026 and their first product line titled ‘The Resurrection Story’ comes right on time for Easter Sunday. The toy is in a pegboard format, featuring pieces like palm leaves, the cross, tomb, stone, etc., which will enable children to visually follow and engage with the story. “Created for little hands and curious hearts, this board gently introduces children to the story of the Cross, and the hope of Easter,” the product description reads.
About the creator
“I am someone who truly enjoys creating, whether it’s designing, crafting, or even putting together something meaningful for children and families. I don’t come from a very technical or professional background in this field, but everything I do comes from experience, passion, and a heart to make a difference, especially in how children learn and grow in their early years,” Aviphrü, who also serves as Children Director at the Lierie Baptist Church, says in an exclusive interview with The Morung Express.
Shaping faith through play
Sharing the inspiration behind Thon Toy Story, she states that it comes from a deeply personal place. “Watching my daughter, Thethono grow, especially seeing how confidently she was building her vocabulary and recognising colours through play at preschool was such a beautiful moment for me as a mother. It made me pause and realise something powerful - if play can shape a child’s mind so effectively, it can also shape their faith,” she says.
With that realization, Aviphrü knew that she had to do something about it. “That is how this journey began, to help little children know God in a way that is natural, joyful, and rooted in play. And the name Thon Toy Story comes from her, so that this vision always remains close to my heart,” she shares.
These toys combine faith with interaction, durability and educational play. “Children learn alphabets, colours and numbers through toys and tangible objects, why won't they learn about God through faith-based toys? They will give birth to curiosity and make children inquisitive to gain more knowledge about the Bible,” Aviphrü asserts.
Humble beginnings
Though the conviction was strong, Thon Toy Story started quite humbly, with just an idea and a lot of thinking, according to Aviphrü. “I began exploring it when my daughter started preschool in 2025, and that’s where the seed was planted. We launched our first product on March 16, 2026, so it’s still very recent and fresh,” she highlights.
Speaking about The Resurrection Story and other toys in the making, Aviphrü shares that it usually begins with a simple faith-based lesson or value she wants children to learn. “From there, I turn it into something playful and easy to understand, design it to be simple and engaging, and then it goes through prototyping, testing, and refining before being produced in a safe and meaningful way,” she adds.
While the toy designs are personally handled by her, Aviphrü partners with external sources to bring the final product to life.
On being asked how she balances motherhood, ministry, and her venture, she admits that it does get challenging at times. “I have realised that as mothers, it’s not always possible to follow a perfect daily routine. But personally, I feel that determination goes a long way. Even if things don’t go as planned, or I’m running late, I believe you can still get things done when your heart is set on it. So I try to get things done in between, like when my baby is sleeping or off to school,” she conveys.
She also acknowledges her husband as her biggest cheerleader. "He is incredibly supportive and inspires me daily. I truly couldn’t have done this without him," she shares.
The road ahead
Sharing her experience, Aviphrü says that the journey so far has been both exciting and challenging.
“Since the products are externally sourced, dispatch time was the biggest hurdle, especially because I wanted everything ready at least a month before Resurrection Sunday. It took longer than expected, which also meant extra costs. Another challenge has been finding stores, as the commission rates are quite high for a startup like mine,” she adds.
However, despite moments of doubt, Thon Toy Story has also received encouraging feedback from parents and children. “Seeing children truly engage and learn has been the most rewarding part,” she says.
Reviews from parents mention how the toys are simple, yet engaging, with many sharing that it is helping both them and their children learn and understand Bible stories together.
At present, Thon Toy Story offers just one product: The Resurrection Story, but Aviphrü has plans to introduce more learning materials in the future. However, she also highlights her intention to keep growing the venture slowly and intentionally. “My focus is not just on expanding products, but on maintaining the heart behind it, that is to create things with purpose. In the future, I’d love to introduce more learning materials, maybe even structured kits or routines that parents can easily use at home, as well as resources that Sunday school teachers and missionaries can use in their teaching,” she states.
Thon Toy Story products are available online, and customers can place orders through Instagram (@ThonToyStory) or direct contact. “We are yet to have an offline store, however, I am reaching out to a few stores, and for now, the products are also available at outlets like Hornbill Mart and ACLS (both Town and High School area). Hopefully, in the future, it can grow further in that direction,” Aviphrü informs.
“Never underestimate how much children can understand when they are taught with love and intention. And for parents, even small, consistent efforts in teaching faith can make a lifelong impact. It does not have to be perfect; it just has to be real,” she concludes.
