Rangaswamy is around 85 years old. He was married at 18. Six years later his wife died from a virulent strain of plague. Within a month his mother, father and whole family had also died. Since then Rangaswamy has lived on his own, working as a watchman. When he could no longer work he rented a small house, but his savings soon ran out, which is when he came to Jacob's. He has become very fond of Palanniamal since being at Jacobs and the two of them are always together.

Palanniamal was found unconscious on the roadside by the Outreach team. She was dreadfully undernourished and it has taken nine months to build her up so she is able to walk about and take part in all the Jacobs activities.

Residents

Valliammal and her daughter Kamalaveni. Valli was married 59 years ago, and Kamala was born two years later. She had eight more children, all of whom died except the last son who was born with a mental illness. Kamala married when she was 22 but her husband was alcoholic and very violent towards her. She ran away to live with her parents.

Kamala looked after her parents and brother while her father supported the family by doing whatever work he could find. Kamala had a cleaning job but an injury meant she was unable to continue. Her father died from a snake bite in the summer of 2007, so there was no income to support the family. Kamala's brother was admitted into a home and Valli and Kamala came to Jacob's. Valli is disabled as her back is very bent but they are both happy, cheerful and enjoy life at Jacob's together.