Curiosity Killing the Cat? Says Who?

Well, only a certain kind of curiosity can do that. I think I've successfully given that up years ago, but what remains of it came in very useful today.
I didn't go to office, but took enough time at each of the two places I visited- Carmel Convent, and Sishu Bhavan, of the Missionaries of Charity. Sister Nilima of CC was delighted to see an old student, but she wasn't very clear about what funds they already have and what use it is put to. She mentioned a few NGOs that help them out, but when I asked her to name them, she was at a loss. She maintained that they do not accept donations. Where then, does the money to sponsor underpriviledged girls' educations come from? "School fees." And do they offer higher education to the girls who are willing to study further. No, not beyond class four. They are given a mid day meal, but it's strictly vegetarian. After they've finished class four, the girls "go away." Where? She doesn't know. "Home?" she guesses mildly.
Also, regular students are required to bring two potatoes and two onions every week, plus a cupfull of rice. There is a Social Service Week in Septemeber, and they have to give away old clothes, stationery, medicines and packaged food. Cash is also welcome. But didn't she say donations aren't accepted? "No, this is not donation." Come winter and every girl has to provide a blanket. The regular student strength of the schhol is 1000, and only 70 destitute children are cared for. What happens to the 930 blankets? She doesn't have an answer.
Sister Nilima is only faintly aware that slum and street girls are often the victims of physical and sexual abuse. No girl who has been victimized thus is given couselling. "They are too young na?"
Missionaries of Charity is at least a more bustling place. Sister Paulita seemed quite annoyed as I began to ask questions about what food the children are given, and how many of them share a dormitory. I went into one to see for myself, and although spotlessly clean, there was a heavy odor of milk everywhere, and the children were too shy to really interact with. There caregivers were very chatty, and their statements corroborated most of what Sister Paulita had said. Here too, however, higher education remains hard to come by. I met Kajoree, 11, who said she wants to be a doctor, but still hasn't seen a textbook on science for beginners. She knows the English and Bengali alphabets, can count upto 100, and recite a few poems. That's it.
I met Adrian and Jenny, from the US, very nice people, who'd brought three suitcases full of toys and clothes for the children. They sounded interested in my fundraising idea, and I'm going to email them and Oliver right away. I really hope I can do something worthwhile for the numerous suffering children out there.