Grace Update | Children of Grace | Meet Soosapillai | Volunteer Spotlight

Meet: Soosapillai Ponamal, 70 years of age

“Every day I started and ended with tears,” said Mrs. Soosapillai Ponamal of life before joining Mercy Home last year.

Mrs. Ponamal was one of eight children born to a family in Trincomalee, and lived a rural farming life before marrying at age 27. The couple had two daughters and one son, who became adults with their own families.

When her husband died several years ago, however, Mrs. Ponamal was left with few options. Initially, she lived with her children in their homes, but her son died of illness, and her daughters were unable to provide the basic necessities as the economy and conflict took their tolls on the region.

Neighbors of Mrs. Ponamal’s children referred her to Mercy Home, where she can now sleep without worrying about if she would eat the next day.

“The staff has taken good care of me,” said Mrs. Ponamal. “I wish to end my life at this home.”