MARCEL GASKIN, a structural engineer who started his private practice in 1989, is the person who designed the building which houses the Mahaica Children’s Home at Old Road, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

The spanking new multi-million dollar Mahaica Children’s Home is a one-of-a-kind in terms of its original design, Gaskin notes. The sprawling building sits on several acres of land.
The structural engineer has a company called Marcel Gaskin and Associates Ltd and it is staffed with a team of architects, designers and engineers.
Taking reporters through the process of the construction of the building on November 14, 2013, following the official opening of the facility when sponsor Digicel Guyana handed it over to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Gaskin said that initially they wanted to rehabilitate the old building.
He advised that this was not the greatest idea and managed to convince Digicel that a new building would be more appropriate and the design was conceptualised.
Gaskin said he was familiar with the old building since he had visited on several occasions through the Rotary group and had done some projects with the children.

MAKING IT HOMELY
He stated that most homes that house children are usually cramped for space and dark, but he wanted higher ceilings and a bit more air flow to make it as homely as possible.
Gaskin said there were not many modifications made by Digicel and they had accepted the design; and in the end it came out well after months of hard work and planning.
The massive structure was declared open by the Digicel Guyana team and Minister Jennifer Webster after the ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 14, 2013.
The project lasted 10 months following the sod-turning exercise on July 25, 2012.
At present, the building houses more than 80 children and the designer, Marcel Gaskin was lauded for his exemplary work.
Giving a background to the project, Marketing Manager Jacqueline James told the gathering during the opening that it started around Christmas in 2011 during a visit by a team from Digicel Guyana, including Curtis “Casual” Armstrong.
It was recognised that the building was in dire need of repairs and they took some photos and contracted the services of architect, Marcel Gaskin, who visited the location and advised that a new building be constructed, even after repairs were done to the building, including the roof.
She pointed out that they accepted the proposal and worked out the logistics with Gaskin and two other partners – R&D Engineering and Pattensen Surveyors – after a tendering process and numerous meetings the construction began.
James stated that the design of the building was solely created by Gaskin and the construction was started in July 2012. Ten months after the building was completed and the children began utilising the edifice; it was noted that they very were comfortable.
The Mahaica Children’s Home was fully completed with all the furnishings which are being utilised by 60 children between the ages of birth to 18 years old.
The Mahaica Children’s Home was previously a wooden structure and it was badly in need of repairs. Digicel Guyana volunteered to rebuild it with a modern and sprawling concrete structure.
The building has a library with computers and books, two dormitories with 30 children each, a sick bay area, a recreational room, laundry area and a kitchen.

(By Michel Outridge)