Mrs. Ponnala’s Caring Homes: A Place Where Everyone Feels Loved

BY KIARA BILLA

Seva Healthcare LLC. Vandana Ponnala.

Helping people is one of the best things in the world, and Vandana Ponnala knows that very well. She says, "The best way to feel happy is to help others." That’s why she started a special place called Seva Healthcare, which is an adult group home and a place where people with disabilities, who need extra help doing their daily activities, can live and feel safe. Ponnala’s big dream is to do something that makes her happy, and she found that in helping people who are differently abled

Ponnala started her first group home in 2018 in Virginia. She noticed that some people are in need of help, and their families, which consist of single or older parents, might not always be able to take care of their needs. Ponnala worked hard to make her group home a safe and loving place. Later, she opened a second home. Now, she has six people living in her homes, and she has hired 18 helpers to tend to their needs day and night. Her helpers make sure everyone has what they need at all times.

Ponnala and her helpers assist residents with showers, dressing, meals, medication, and even spending time talking and playing with them. It’s like being part of a big, happy family. Mrs. Ponnala also takes her clients to special activities that the county provides, where they can have fun and try new things.

Every night, Ponnala feels really happy about the work she does. She knows she’s helping the people who live in her homes. She feels extra happy when her clients give her hugs when she visits them or when they enjoy time with their own families during the holiday parties she hosts. One day, she hopes to turn her business into a nonprofit so she can help an even greater number of people. For Ponnala, helping others isn’t just her job—it’s what makes her the happiest.