HH Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa lends patronage to Zain Bahrain's Fifth Back-To-School Project

More than 20,000 school bags distributed across Kingdom

Source:BahrainCSR

Seef District - Kingdom of Bahrain, August 31, 2008 – In continuing support of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Essa Al Khalifa of charitable events such as The Royal Charity Organization headed by His Higness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Charity Organization, Zain Bahrain's Chairman Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa today thanked His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for extending his patronage to the company's Back To School charity project that will see more than 20,000 schoolbags distributed to needy school children in time for new academic year in September this year. The Project which is the centerpiece of Zain Bahrain’s work with youth empowerment through education is inspired by the vision of his majesty King Hamad to encourage corporate social responsibility and ensure that charitable causes and the needy in society are part of the kingdom’s development scenario. "The patronage of His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa is valuable to us because it lends depth to a key component of our Corporate Social Responsibility Programme – the empowering of youth through education," he said, "We are sure that His Highness Shaikh Nasser's patronage will encourage youngsters associated with the project to do their best academically and harness their talent to serve the Kingdom." At a well-managed ceremony at the Ministry of Education's hall in Isa Town with the attendance of the Minister of Education Dr. Majid Al Noaimi, Zain Bahrain once again underscored its commitment to youth empowerment through education by distributing 20,000 school bags and stationery to needy school children through recognized NGOs and charities in the Kingdom's 5 governorates. Zain Bahrain's General Manager Mohammed Zainalabedin observed, "The program has been an important part of our CSR initiatives underscoring our belief in the power of education to change and support the society as a whole." He continued, "We at Zain Bahrain are pleased with and proud of the growth of the education sector in the kingdom. We continuously search for ways to support the government's efforts to develop the education sector and our youth's abilities. Since its inception in 2003, Zain Bahrain has been supporting youth development, educational and social initiatives and will always contribute to the nation's ongoing attempts to strengthen the country's position amongst leading nations. Zain Bahrain has been working closely with more than 120 local welfare associations, charity funds and sports clubs to compile the list of students that will benefit most from the "School Bag Distribution" program. This is the fifth consecutive year that the project has been organized by Zain Bahrain. "Now that our children are starting a new school year, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all our students and ensure them that at Zain Bahrain, our corporate social responsibility entails us to support the educational system and work in partnership with them to ensure our messages come across to today's youth. We are keen on serving the local community by cooperating and coordinating with the various Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations to help create the right atmosphere and proper tools our youth need to achieve their goals," said Corporate Communications Manager Samya Hussein. Since its inception, Zain Bahrain has focused on Youth Development, Education, and Individuals and Children with Special Needs; to name a few; more than BD 350,000 was contributed to the University of Bahrain to fund Zain Bahrain's e-learning centre, more than BD 60,000 was contributed to build a multi-purpose hall at Al Rahma Centre, a donation has been given to the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society, and a bus was donated to Al Wafa Centre for Autism. In addition to a number of social awareness programs such as traffic and environmental awareness programs and the National loyalty Awareness program in conjunction with the various governmental and NGO institutions.