She meets a penniless woman named Passerotto ( Giulietta Masina ) in a shack by a river and helps her care for a large brood of ragged kids .
Irene is struck by the dreadful living conditions in the slums .
Irene meets a penniless woman named Passerotto ( Giulietta Masina ) in a shack by a river and helps Irene 's care for a large brood of ragged kids .
Irene is struck by the dreadful living conditions in the slums .