2. Ph.D. in International Business
Owner of Walwyn Consulting Firm
BPW member since 2013
Formally Director of Tourism in St. Kitts
Contracts with International organizations
including UN Women, EU, OAS
St. Kitts and Nevis representative for
Caribbean Institute for Women in Leadership
(CIWIL)
6. Stable Political system
98% literacy rate
Modern Infrastructure
Stable Currency (2.7 to US$)
2 Island, 1 Paradise
Pop’n: 45,000 people
Official Language: English
40 years Universal Access to
Secondary education
7. Prior to 1987 pregnant girls were only
allowed to return to school a the discretion of
the principal of the school.
In 1997, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis
issued a Ministerial Cabinet policy clarifying
the right of teen mothers to continue their
public school education and mandating on-
going supports and services for the girls.
BPW St. Kitts was instrumental in creating the
change with the assistance of international
agencies
8. Named after the first girl
Short term goal is to provide services and
support to the teen mothers in school.
Long-term goal is to break the cycle of
poverty, violence and abuse common to teen
mothers and their children. Teen mothers
and their children remain a very vulnerable
population in St. Kitts and Nevis.
9. Project Viola supports these vulnerable
women and children with a “total
development” approach that results in
successful adults and healthy children.
These successful teen mothers can also play
a role in mentoring other young women to
made good decisions about their lives and
future.
10. Project Viola is adminstered by the
Department of Gender Affairs
Supported by private and public sector
Girls are referred by teachers, counselors,
parents, doctors, nurses, friends and well-
wishers.
Girls must attend after school, weekend and
summer sessions on pre-natal care and
general lifestyle development.
11. Day Care—assistance with locating day care and
connecting low- income families with Social
Assistance.
Counseling---contact with the girl and/or family to
help deal with the immediate crisis of pregnancy and
begin setting goals for school and the future.
Legal Issues—assistance as needed with maintenance
and other legal issues.
Advocacy—assistance as needed with other
government programs and returning to school.
Workshops---sessions offered on self-development,
career development, parenting and entrepreneurship
during school breaks.
12. Skills Training—currently available during school
breaks in computer training, sewing, cooking and
baking and hairdressing/cosmetology.
Job Attachment---girls with specific vocational
interests are placed in jobs over the school break(s).
Stipends—available for transportation and day care
during workshops and other activities.
Teen Mother Support Group—gives teen mothers the
opportunities to share experiences and support one
another.
Scholarships and Educational Opportunities—Gender
Affairs staff can help identify scholarship and
educational opportunities for girls wishing to
continue ton to college and/or other vocational
training.
13. The workshop curriculum included sessions
on family planning, conflict resolution, self-
development, AIDS prevention, teen sexuality,
interviewing, workplace ethics small business
and entrepreneurship, nutrition, parenting
and communication.
This collaboration supports these vulnerable
mothers and children by focusing on the
future and offering opportunities to be strong
and independent adults.
14. This project hailed as a best practice by
UNICEF
Used as a model throughout the Caribbean
74% success rate
15. Dr. Melissa Grante
Medical Doctor
Project Viola Mentor
Married with 2 children
