Muscat – A Grade XII student of Muscat is among the young achievers from around the world honoured with The 2022 Diana Award.

The prestigious award was won by Gobhanu Korisepati of ABA Oman International School and founder of SWIFT (Sustaining Women in Financial Turmoil), a microfinance NGO run by students of the school.

The award was introduced in Oman earlier this year by H H Sayyida Basma al Said, founder of Whispers of Serenity and one of the judges of the award.

SWIFT offers funds and loans to female entrepreneurs from marginalised 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 1,200 women across 71 countries.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Gobhanu said, “SWIFT is the only entity recognised by The Diana Awards from Oman this year. Four days ago, I received an email from Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and members of The Diana Award Foundation about the award.”
Thrilled with the honour, Gobhanu said, “It means a lot of motivation for us, and also it means that we shall now have more members who will work with us for a bigger contribution to society.”

He informed that SWIFT started as a small group in ABA with him and nine friends towards the end of 2019 and became official in December 2020. “Currently we have 36 members globally and the number is ever increasing. 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. Till date, we have lent more than US$35,000 to over 1,200 borrowers, all with the help of students in high school,” he said.

The Diana Award was launched in 2017 to inspire a new generation of young people to service their communities. Awardees are given access to a unique development programme which aims to further increase their already proven capacity for innovation, leadership and social change. It is considered one of the most prestigious accolades that young change-makers can receive for their social action and humanitarian work.