In an extraordinary testament to his impactful contributions to global microfinance and community empowerment, Gobhanu Korisepati, the founder of Sustaining Women in Financial Turmoil (SWIFTmfi), has been distinguished with the Legacy Award at the Science Museum in London, United Kingdom. The prestigious award was conferred by the Crown Prince William of Wales, Duke of Cambridge as well as congratulated online by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex from the British Royal Family.
This prestigious accolade, inspired by the humanitarian legacy of the late Princess Diana, recognizes Korisepati as one of 20 exceptional young leaders worldwide, selected for their visionary contributions to society. Korisepati marks a significant milestone as the youngest founder of a microfinance instituation underscoring the global reach and significance of his efforts at such a young age aswell as the first and only individual to receive this award from Oman.
The Legacy Award, established by the Diana Award organization in 2017, is awarded biennially to 20 outstanding young leaders, visionaries, and role models across the globe. These individuals are celebrated for their remarkable abilities to inspire and mobilize new generations to serve their communities, mirroring Princess Diana's profound commitment to humanitarian work. The Legacy Award is the most prestigious accolade a young person can receive for their humanitarian work. This is the longest running award for young people through a retrospective nomination process only.
Gobhanu Korisepati’s pioneering work through SWIFTmfi which originally started out of The ABA Oman School in 2019, has dramatically transformed the lives of women in marginalised communities by providing accessible microfinance solutions. Over five years, his initiatives have supported over 3,000 women in 77 countries to start sustainable businesses, achieve financial independence, and break the cycle of poverty with a direct estimated impact to over 70000 lives. In addition, SWIFTconnect, an innovative online tool launched by SWIFTmfi, has further extended financial literacy and empowerment to over 400 young individuals across Asia and Africa. In the previous year alone, Gobhanu has been a role model to over 4,200 students from various schools involved in fundraising, along with more than 15,000 students worldwide via a powerful social media outreach all while juggling being a dual degree student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Huntsman Program.
Upon receiving the award, Korisepati expressed his deep gratitude and reflected on the honor's significance, "Being recognised with the Legacy Award is not just a personal achievement but a celebration of the collective effort and resilience of the communities we serve. It inspires me to continue working towards a world where opportunity is not a privilege but a right accessible to all. To be recognised as a part of the Late Princess Diana’s legacy is an honor that transcends individual accolades, embodying the essence of compassion, philanthropy, and a tireless commitment to improving the lives of others"
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