Gobhanu Korisepati, the founder of SWIFT (Sustaining Women in Financial Turmoil) – a microfinance NGO run by students of ABA Oman International School, Muscat, has been conferred with the distinguished Diana Award.
Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, The Diana Award is the most prestigious accolade young changemakers aged 9-25 years can receive for their social action and humanitarian work. This is the first time that the Diana Awards for innovation, humanity and mental health has been introduced in the Sultanate of Oman. HH Sayyida Basma Al Said, founder of Whispers of Serenity Clinic was the first and only Arab judge for The Diana Awards 2022. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and members of the Diana Award Foundation commended the SWIFT team for their tremendous contribution to the greater good of society.
SWIFT offers funds and loans for female entrepreneurs from marginalized communities to help them establish a sustainable business and become financially independent. Since its inception, SWIFT has been able to provide financial assistance to over 1200 women across 71 countries.
As a student-run NGO, SWIFT has over 35 ABA students working towards creating an equitable world with equal access to opportunities. “Through microfinance and its world-changing potential, we lend money directly to underprivileged women, aiding them to flourish and support themselves, their families, and their local communities,” expressed Gobhanu, who is also the President of the ABA High School Student Council. “Till date, we have lent more than $35000 USD to over 1150 borrowers, all with the help of young students in high school!”, he proudly added.
Al Faisal Al Abdullatif, PRO of the Student Council and core committee member of SWIFT stated, “As global citizens, it is our mission to inspire and empower young inquirers to make a difference, and impact positive change in the community. It is heartening to witness ABA students selflessly contributing to the SWIFT microfinance initiative through fundraisers and sales, the proceeds of which directly benefit the needy.”
Mentoring them in this noble endeavor is Mr Aneesh Kumar, ABA faculty, “Gobhanu and the team spend the equivalent of a part-time job helping disadvantaged people, exemplifying how driven the SWIFT team is in providing real world solutions in line with the IB philosophy and ABA’s mission, vision and values. Their passion, dedication and efforts towards this end is truly commendable.”
To learn more about SWIFT and read narratives of the women whose livelihoods have been transformed through this initiative, visit swiftmfi.org.
ABA Oman International School, a not-for-profit IB Continuum School in Madinat Al Irfan, Muscat, provides international education of the highest quality in an intercultural environment. Visit www.abaoman.org to discover The ABA Way.
