Alternatives?????

Last week I was in a slum in Jharkhand to see the work of one of the NGO. The NGO has been doing lots of work on Children's education, health and malnutrition, investing on the youth's skill development, Water and sanitation, economic development of the families. So far so good.
I was in a community of very backward people whose profession is to sweep and clean faeces. NGO is working with them and at the time of visit saw Feeding programme for the malnourished children going on. Mothers came along with their babies for this programme.
While discussing volunteer told, "Sir, this community gives their girl child to marriage at very early age."
I asked her," Has it improved now after the intervention of NGO?"
She said, "Yes, now they give their girl child to marriage at the age of 12 instead of 6 year."
I am standing at the heart of the town which is prosperous.
I saw many dirty children running. I again asked, "Do these children go to school?"
Volunteer smiled and said,"No sir."
Pointing at the nearby school which is one minute walk I asked,"Why do they not go to school when it is in the middle of the slum?"
She said," Sir, problem is this. Both the parents go to work and leave their small babies under the care of bigger siblings. Boys spend time in playing and girls looking after the babies." Pointing at the gathered children she said," Out of these children hardly 10 children go to school". There were around 50 boys and girls.
I turned to the manager of the project and asked him whether he has any plan for these children. The community worker came forward and said, " sir we have started special classes for these children. We have started children clubs and going to set up library for these children." Thank God, first step is taken up.

While discussing the malnutrition among the women and project staff, I realised that the govt initiative and NGO's current initiative will not help address malnutrition. There is issue of sanitation and hygiene, mother's education, children's care, drinking water, food. What does this mean to an NGO when it wants to address the issue like education and malnutrition? What alternative models can be followed? Can they start a parallel institute like Anganwadi center for the children below 3 years? Will advocacy help? What about the open defecation?
I have more questions than the answers.