<< >> MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The new Bibi Fatima Zahra School for Orphans was dedicated by Mr. Ehsan Bayat, Bayat Foundation Chairman, on Friday, 30 Oct, 2009. The Faryab Provincial Governor, the head of the school for orphans, high ranking local dignitaries and many of the orphans who will attend school there attended the ceremony, which marked the handover of the building to the local authority that runs the school for orphans. This is the sixth new or reconstructed school for orphans built as part of the Bayat Foundation's commitment to Afghanistan's children.

Bibi Fatima School for Orphans is located in Maimana, in the northern Afghan province of Faryab. With a total area of 13,000 square feet, the modern building consists of 12 classrooms, conference rooms, a management room, a dining room, an information room, a store, a laboratory, modern toilets, an advanced drainage system and an electrical system that meets international standards. It is designed to house 350 orphans who will attend classes in a proper building for the first time. Construction on the facility started in March 2009 and was completed before the onset of winter. One local official said, "On behalf of the people of Faryab, we cannot begin to express our gratitude for this project. It is rare that a donor runs such a large project and delivers it in such a short time. It will provide a lasting impact for many young Afghans."

Other examples of the Bayat Foundation's accomplishments and efforts are the construction of the 150-bed Saleha Bayat Maternity Hospital in Mazar-e-Sharif; construction of the Mariam Bayat Girls Dormitory at Bamyan university; drilling of deep wells in the Saighan district and Mullah Omer areas of Bamyan province; construction of the Zahra Bayat Maternity Hospital in the town of Nili in Daikundi province; construction of the Zahra Bayat Dormitory in the Herat School for Orphans; building of a 14Km road in Khurram and Sar Bagh districts; construction of the water supply system for the residents of Hazrate Sultan town in Samangan province; the 20-bed maternity hospital in the Tora Bora district of Nangarhar province; the Bayat Clinic in Sar-i-Pul province; the library of Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan in Kunar; the construction of the Chundawal Praying Room in Kabul province; construction of the Bayat Masjid in Logar and Baghlan province; a computer & internet lab, establishment of a TV training studio and journalism faculty at Kabul university; and construction of sports stadiums in the Parwan and Gozargah villages of Kabul province. Construction of religious buildings and mosques are also underway in both Kabul and the provinces.

<< About The Bayat Foundation >> Since 2005, the Bayat Foundation, led by Ehsan & Fatema Bayat, has contributed to over 140 projects to improve the quality of life for the youth, women and children and elders of Afghanistan by providing for their basic human needs, constructing new facilities and infrastructure, organizing sporting events, promoting health, education, economic and cultural programs. The independent USA-based 501(c)3 Bayat Foundation, www.bayatfoundation.org, through the support of its donors, partners with the non-governmental Bayat Foundation in Kabul, Afghanistan, www.bayatfoundation.org.af, to promote the well-being of the Afghan people. In 2002, Chairman Bayat launched the Afghan Wireless Communication Company, www.afghan-wireless.com, the first wireless service and Internet service provider in Afghanistan, followed by the 2005 launch of the Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), www.arianatelevision.com, with international reach and ARIANA Radio (FM 93.5).

For more information, please email info@bayatfoundation.org .

<< CONTACT: Edgar Mueller 904-686-1470 >> -0- 11/06/2009 /For further information: Edgar Mueller of Bayat Foundation, +1-904-686-1470 Web Site: http://www.bayatfoundation.org/ CO: Bayat Foundation ST: IN: EDU SU: CHI NPT -30- CNW 10:14e 06-NOV-09