The adolescent mothers' project in Jamaica.

In 1978 the Jamaican Womens Bureau established the 1st center for the education and counseling of adolescent mothers in the developing world. The Womens Centre supported in part by funds raised from private sources by the Pathfinder Fund enables pregnant teenagers to avoid the usual hardships of poverty and dependence by continuing their education while learning about and receiving proper pre and postnatal care. Parents and male partners are actively involved in counseling sessions and development of practical life skills including family planning is emphasized. The effect on participating young mothers has been dramatic in improving their confidence self esteem and child care abilities. Equally important the Womens Centres success has helped liberalize Jamaican government policies on the education of pregnant school age women. This project is a model of innovative programming to serve the rapidly growing number of pregnant adolescents world wide. (Authors)