THE construction of the new facility to house residents of the Mahaica Children’s Home is likely to be completed by August of this year. This was announced by officials of Digicel following a walk-through of the facility yesterday at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

The new facility is being constructed in the compound which currently houses the children’s home and will be situated aback of the existing building. The entire project, which, including the furnishing of the building upon completion, is being financed by Digicel Guyana.
Yesterday Human Services Minister Jennifer Webster was invited by the officials of Digicel to accompany them as they did a progress check on the construction. The Digicel team included the company’s Director of Marketing Jacqueline James, Public Relations Officer Shonette Moore and Marketing Officer, Gavin Hope.
Minister Webster told the media that the ministry is extremely thankful for the initiative by Digicel, which also speaks to their corporate responsibility.
Minister Webster noted that several of the children presently housed at the Mahaica Children’s Home are affected by abuse of all sorts. She noted that at the moment there are approximately 60 children in the home.
The Human Services Minister said that the existing building will either be demolished or restored and preserved for training staff and other persons who are likely to provide various services to the home upon the completion of the new structure.
The minister told the media that once the new facility is occupied, there will be additional care-givers who will be needed to work with the children. Improving the quality of care-giving services to the children is something that the ministry will also be looking at.
In addition, educational and other extra activities will be new features available for the children.
Meanwhile, Director of Marketing at Digicel, Jacquelyn James, said that the main objective of the company is to ensure that the facility is completed so that the children could be more safe and comfortable.
While not mentioning the exact price tag for the entire project, the company executive stated that it will add up to millions of dollars. James said that while much emphasis is being placed on the structure, the same will be done on the second phase of the project.
This includes the landscaping and ensuring that the environment and surroundings of the facility are likened to an actual home.  James said that while the home is being built for children who have various personal and other social problems, they must be able to enjoy the luxury of living comfortably in the place they have known to be their home for some time now.
The representative added that efforts are also being directed to ensure that the building, upon completion, meets the requirements and specifications which are accepted internationally.
Although there was a slight set-back in 2012 with the supply of stones, the construction is moving at a pace that is pleasing to the company, and according to James, the project is just over 60 percent completed. Already, sections of the building has begun receiving their first coat of paint.
The Digicel representative noted that the company continues to look for projects which benefit the young people of Guyana and already some other children’s homes are being eyed for similar projects.