Roadtown, Tortola - An initiative aimed at prompting new mothers and fathers in the Territory to read to their babies has received strong Government support.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn OBE, QC expressed the Government’s support for the Books for Babies Programme, which was launched today by the BVI Reading Council with backing from the BVI Health Services Authority and the Ministry of Health and Social Development.
Honourable Penn acknowledged the role played by former Director of the BVI London Office Ms. Dawn Smith in providing the impetus for the launching of the Books for Babies Programme. She also commended the members of the BVI Reading Council, the BVI Health Services Authority, and the other agencies and individuals for their respective contributions.
In addition the minister highlighted the importance of parents reading to their babies from an early stage. “I hope this initiative will encourage more mothers and fathers throughout this Territory to become involved,” she said. Honourable Penn further expressed her desire for the programme to be embraced by the public.
“Books are lifelong friends and can take you and your child to unknown and unseen worlds. Children who enjoy reading are generally faster learners and have wider vocabularies than other children. They begin life with a big advantage,” the minister noted.
Honourable Penn called on the business sector, civic and community groups to support the new programme, which she described as a valuable initiative. “Government is committed to supporting programmes such as these, but Government cannot function in isolation. We all have a stake in this programme’s success,” she said.
The Minister’s appeal was reinforced by Co-President of the BVI Reading Council Mrs. Lynden Smith who appealed for the public’s contributions to ensure the programme’s viability. She estimated that on average 300 babies are born each year at Peebles Hospital. Under the Books for Babies Programme the BVI Reading Council is endeavouring to provide all new parents with a reading package for their baby.
Mrs. Smith encouraged individuals, companies, and groups to make large or small donations towards the programme. She also made a presentation of the first batch of 61 packets with reading material for the parents of newborns at Peebles Hospital. The presentation was made to Assistant Nursing Director Mrs. Helen Frett, who also spoke highly of the initiative while encouraging parents of newborn babies to commence reading to their child at an early stage.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands News