Five computerized “babies” have become the newest members of the the Rotary Club of St. Thomas and its foundation’s “Baby Think it Over” program.
The babies were distributed to St. Thomas middle and high schools this week.
Rotary has sponsored the program for more than thirteen years. During this period, according to Mary Gleason, Rotary Club past president and program founder, an estimated 95 percent of the pupils who have participated in this teen pregnancy deterrent program have avoided unplanned teen pregnancies through high school.
The program gives the female students a “baby” to care for over a period of one to three days. During that time, the girls quickly come to grips with the responsibility of caring for a real child.
More than $90,000 has been spent on this program over the years through private donations from Rotary and its foundation. The foundation also supplies the computerized dolls with $12,000 in accessory items. They were presented to Adelita Cancryn and Bertha C. Boschulte middle schools and Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean high schools at a Tuesday ceremony.
Participating in the distribution were Rotary Club of St. Thomas Foundation President Terry Robinson with teacher Alda Fielto of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School; Rotary Club of St. Thomas Secretary Paul Davis with teacher Maritza Pierre, Bertha C.Boschulte Middle School; and Gleason with teacher Avril Graham, Charlotte Amalie High School.
