Three decades of conflict have devastated the economy of Afghanistan. Marketplaces and infrastructure have crumbled, while employment opportunities have all but disappeared. The entire nation is struggling to rebuild.
In the aftermath of war, there is much to do. People need assistance finding safe, habitable places to live, not to mention jobs and a marketplace that offers food, clothing, and more. While outside nations have rushed to help, perhaps the largest (and most efficient) means of help must come from within. Few, however, have both the ability and the initiative to act. Fortunately, Dr. Ehsan Bayat is both able and motivated to aid the war-torn nation. For Dr. Bayat, this is more than just a terrible situation; it is an opportunity to act. Harnessing the resources of the Bayat Foundation, he strives to assist the most at-risk citizens of Afghanistan and bring hope to the nation.
The Bayat Foundation
The focus of the Bayat Foundation is to bring hope and healing to the neediest members of Afghanistan society. By providing for their basic necessities, the foundation can offer hope where there was none, and inspire a rising generation to build a brighter future for the nation. A consortium of donors has teamed up to find ways to meet the most elemental of needs within the country. They work primarily with women and children, those who face an uncertain future and would otherwise have little opportunity to improve their lives.
Thousands of women benefit from the maternity care programs offered by the Bayat Foundation, which has constructed prenatal and postnatal care centers in eight provinces throughout the country. Women receive free pre-and post-natal care, as well as instruction in baby care. Thus, the mortality rate of women and children in Afghanistan has decreased, and the health of mothers and infants has dramatically improved.
Citizens have likewise benefited from the foundation’s well-water initiatives, which make clean water readily available for use in areas where there is no potable or running water. With the building of wells, clean water can be accessed for cooking, drinking, bathing, and other uses, improving health and preventing the spread of disease.
Family sponsorship programs support entire family groups, providing much-needed funds and supplies to cover necessities. As a result, children do not have to beg in the streets, so they have the opportunity to attend school. Additionally, families receive blankets, food, and clothing during the winter months, assistance that is particularly important in the most remote provinces.