SINGAPORE: The BABES programme, launched just a week ago to help
young women with unwanted pregnancies, is already seeing
results.
14 teenage mothers-to-be have sent more than 200 SMSes to the BABES
hotline for help.
"We have received 214 SMSes, 14 teenage mums-to-be have been in
contact with us through SMS and we have been in contact with 3 of
them and this is the early stage. We plan to contact all of them,"
said Eunice Olsen, BABES' spokeswoman.
BABES hopes to prevent unwanted babies from being abandoned.
"They don't know what to do with the baby because there's no one
there to help them along the way and that's why they've been driven
to desperate measures," said Ms Eunice Olsen.
As the programme's spokesperson, she hopes to change all that, and
her message is simple.
"It's never the end of the world. We don't want babies to be
abandoned, and the girls go to desparate measures. Now that you're
pregnant, what's next? We want to help you make an informed
decision, that there are alternatives to help make that
decision."
BABES helps in providing shelter and other assistance.
Ms Eunice Olsen believes part of the responsibility lies with the
community and people around the troubled mothers-to-be, to help
them in any way possible.
BABES hotline is 8111-3535.
Meanwhile, the infant found dead in the rubbish chute at Block 45,
Toa Payoh Lorong 5 on Sunday has been identified as a baby
girl.
Police are still investigating the incident, before deciding
whether to charge the mother.
She is in her 20s and is receiving treatment at the KK Womens' and
Children's Hospital. - CNA