“Many of those with us are here for one reason: nobody was willing to sacrifice for them.” These were Mrs. E. Rajendran’s words to me as she shared about Ponnagam; a centre for the elderly which she runs in Rajapalyam, Tamil Nadu.
Birthed in 2006, Ponnagam Medical and Destitute Centre is a legacy of grace shared generously amongst the elderly residents and any visitors (animal or human!) who happen to journey through this unique community. The land upon which Ponnagam stands was a gift, given to Mrs. E’s family by her parents. The hope was that someday it would be used to extend the same care which her parents received in the weakness of their old age.
For those who now call Ponnagam home, their age and dependence were deemed a limitation, throwing them into the depths of “ungrace”.
At Ponnagam however, grace is found. You may not see it in close-ups of their wrinkled faces, or in the way that they hobble, cough, and sometimes argue with each other. It is experienced relationally, in the daily to and fro, where each person’s inherent value is celebrated. Grace that is intentional, life giving, and does not decay with time.
April 2013
The life that thrives at Ponnagam is quiet. It is slow and non-sensational. The relationships shared are based not on achievements or personal successes, but on each person’s sacred worth.
Mrs. Pushpum Arumugam, 72, on her daily morning rounds. She has been serving as a warden and assistant nurse at Ponnagam since 2010.
Mr Koil, 82, is a bachelor with no one to look after him. He came to Ponnagam in 2012.
Mrs Avadai Parvathi, 86, has been at Ponnagam since 2009. She has one son. Her daughter-in-law and grandchild died in a fire accident.
Vijayalakshmi, 60, is mentally challenged and on medication. You will often see her voluntarily sweeping the grounds. She came to Ponnagam in 2009.
Thangavel, 74, came to Ponnagam in 2012. He is a widower. Arumugam (sitting), 78, came to Ponnagam in 2006 with his wife Essaki after they were kicked out by their sons.
Mr. Koil washing his clothes in the early morning sun.
Choco and Patches, the two beloved watchdogs, are the youngest residents at Ponnagam.
Mary amma, 70, came to Ponnagam after her husband passed away from TB in 2006. She has no children to take care of her.
Subaiya (far left), 80, was deserted by his children. He came to Ponnagam in 2010.
Palanni amma, 84, was deserted and left on the streets until a well-wisher brought her to Ponnagam in 2008.
Pushpam amma, preparing tea for visitors.
Pichaikanni aiya, 70, came to Ponnagam in 2010. His sons beat and kicked him out of their home.
Grace amma, 92, is the second oldest lady at Ponnagam and has been there since 2006. She has 8 children but refused to stay with them. Grace is fondly referred to as the “sunshine of Ponnagam”.
Tea time inside their room. Ganapathy amma (centre), 78, has one son who does not want to look after her.
Chenthai, 80, a widow, came to Ponnagam in 2006.
Miss Ghanamma, 64, has been with Mrs. E and family for 26 years. She joined Ponnagam on staff as a kitchen-help in 2010 and intends to stay until she dies.
Tamarai amma (left) and Salomi amma (right), 75 and 58 respectively. Salomi is partially blind and was oppressed by her husband.
Mrs Seeli Dhanasingh (right) is the staff-in-charge at Ponnagam. She has known Mrs. E for almost 45 years. They were classmates in 1964 and have been friends ever since.
