The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has relaunched the Books for Babies initiative as well as Hampers for Mothers. Photo: Facebook

The first Books for Babies package was presented to an expecting mother during the relaunch ceremony on June 17, 2026. Photo: Facebook

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA and President of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Dr June M. Samuel said Book for Babies and Hampers for Mothers are important program for both mothers and children. Photo: Facebook

Together with the BVI Reading Council, Books for Babies returned, and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA and President of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Dr June M. Samuel, called it a significant initiative. 

“[It] is even more important now because if we've been keeping up with research, there's now a move to get our children and young people off the devices and back into books because of the harm that we know the devices are doing to their cognitive development. So I think this is a timely initiative to get it back up and running in BVI, and I'm very happy that we're able to do this today,” she said during a ceremony on Wednesday, June 17,  2026, at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.

Books for Babies was first launched in August 2009, spearheaded by former educator Mrs H. Lynden Smith. The first Books for Babies package was presented to an expecting mother during the ceremony. 

Hampers for Mothers

Meanwhile, she explained that Hampers for Mothers was born out of the need to help mothers in need of assistance. Dr Samuel explained that nurses from Women’s Services presented at one of the first Maternal and Child Health Months, with her as Acting CEO of the BVIHSA, presented to her something they said “grieved” them greatly. 

“More often than we would like, we have moms who present to have their babies, but they're not prepared because they couldn't afford to get prepared. So they don't have items for the baby; they don't have items for themselves.” 

The first hampers consisting of essential newborn items were handed over to BVIHSA's Social Services Department. They will be distributed to mothers in need.

Dr Samuel said the two programmes are important for both mothers and children in the Virgin Islands (VI). 

These two initiatives are collaborations with the BVIHSA, BVI Reading Council, Rotary Club of Road Town, and Walkers BVI.