ABA Oman student launches SWIFT Connect to empower women entrepreneurs

Gaveesh Kapoor, a grade 12 student of ABA Oman International School recently launched SWIFT Connect, which is a pioneering initiative providing interest free loans and financial literacy programmes to make a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of women globally. Gaveesh is the Founder & Director of SWIFT Connect, a vertical of SWIFT (Sustaining Women in Financial Turmoil), which is a microfinance NGO run by the high school students at ABA Oman.

Since its inception in 2019, SWIFT has scaled to become a benchmark in youth-led micro-finance institutions by offering funds and loans to female entrepreneurs from marginalised communities to help them establish a sustainable business and become financially independent.  Founded by Gobhanu Korisepati, an ABA alum, and along with the support of his peers, SWIFT has lent more than 3400 interest free loans, which has impacted the lives of more than 5,000 women across the globe.

SWIFT’s complimentary initiative, SWIFT Connect works to create a direct impact in domestic sectors across India and around the world. Realizing that a large number of women in rural India needed support with financial planning, Gaveesh initiated a countrywide awareness drive this summer, organizing seminars in various regions to impart foundational financial knowledge crucial for their economic security. Today, SWIFT Connect proudly stands as a beacon for financial literacy among Indian women, with over 1,000 success stories and counting.

Gaveesh shared heartwarming examples of women who have benefited greatly through this initiative. One such story is Meela’s – a rural farmer who became a successful entrepreneur with the help of a SWIFT loan. Using the funds provided, Meela was able to procure good quality seeds and fertilizers, which amplified the agricultural output, and helped improve her family’s economic condition.

Similarly, Rasha, once constrained by her circumstances, dreamed of a running beauty salon.With SWIFT’s aid and a loan of $2125, she transformed her home venture into a flourishing Beauty Centre in the city.

SWIFT also supported the Kuña Guapa Group, dedicated to empowering impoverished women. by providing a loan of $3,675, where each woman in this collective could bolster her enterprise and secure financial independence for herself and her family.

“The supportive and encouraging environment at ABA Oman International School helped me realize my vision to impact lives and bring about change for the better. I believe the International Baccalaureate programme at ABA shapes global citizens by fostering cultural awareness, through experiences that emphasize global contexts and challenges, instilling in students a sense of responsibility and empathy, equipping us to contribute positively to our interconnected world. The success of SWIFT is a testament to the broader values championed by ABA Oman – sustainable growth, empowerment, and ethical leadership,” stated Gaveesh.

Visit https://www.swiftmfi.org/services-1 for more information on SWIFT Connect.

ABA Oman International School is the leading International Baccalaureate Continuum School in Oman. Founded in 1987, ABA is a not-for-profit, non-selective, K-12 independent school located at Madinat Al Irfan, Muscat. ABA educates the next generation of leaders and innovators in a diverse community, inspiring them to make a positive impact on their world.  Visit www.abaoman.org to discover The ABA Way.