Topsy in Calcutta

Calcutta Downtown, one of our link clubs, was visited by Club member Topsy Hughes in early November 2002. Our financial support enabled elderly widows to receive one blanket each and a regular daily meal. Topsy took shortbread biscuits as a gift and was interested to be asked whether they contained eggs. After the Calcutta Soroptimists read the list of ingredients the ladies were happy to accept the gift. Their religion does not allow widows to consume eggs. Although the widows lived in very primitive accomodation they were happy, communicative and sang to their visitors.

Street children rag pickers were receiving some education in the evenings from a young male student. When Topsy visited, Lewes Club financed slates, pencils and paper and also a packed meal containing a hard boiled egg, a roll, a banana and a packet of cream crackers which the children took away with them.