Ayesha Alam
First Step Initiative (FSI) is a Minnesota-based microfinance organization whose purpose is to empower poor women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to create their own destinies and achieve their full potential. FSI is operated by a group of concerned, caring individuals who donate their time and resources to make real differences in lives of women. Ayesha Alam has been involved with FSI as a volunteer public relations and marketing strategist since February, 2008. The young lady hails from Bangladesh, where microlending efforts of the renowned Dr. Muhammad Yunus were recently recognized through a Nobel Peace Prize.
When asked of her interest in FSI, “First step initiative hits very close to home for me,” Ayesha said. “I’ve watched the individual faces of extreme poverty pretty much drown in technicalities of political infrastructure. It’s as if the majority have waited forever for a panacea, of sorts. The children continue to wait hungry, and people who sincerely want to help are so overwhelmed by the magnitude of this situation that they don’t know where to begin.”
Ayesha met Chingwell Mutombu, executive director of FSI, through a mutual friend, and was thrilled to learn about the progress made by FSI. What attracts her most to microlending is the almost immediate effect and tangible results of capital provided.
So why an organization that helps people in the Congo, of all places? “Food shouldn’t have to be a luxury, anywhere. If there is no universal solution, it’s important that we approach the individuals in need directly with help now, regardless of man-made borders, wherever they need us, one person at a time,” Ayesha added.
An expatriate Bangladeshi, Ayesha moved to the USA twelve years ago, and attended school in Wisconsin and Mississippi. Most recently, she achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science with emphasis in Chemistry and Biochemistry. All her work experience being in polymer science, chemistry and microbiology research labs, Ayesha enjoys painting, henna and writing as valuable outlets for her artistic persona. Recently married, Ayesha lives in Plymouth, MN, with her husband, Jason and puppy, Wasabi. She looks forward to sharing her passion for henna in the first of a series of FSI fundraising events, all proceeds from which will go toward lending capital to Congolese women in need.
