Meeting Fazle Abed - Founder/CEO of BRAC - The World's Largest NGO

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Fazle Hasan Abed Interview

Yesterday, I was dissappointed that it did not work out for me to meet Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed - Founder and Chairperson of BRAC - the largest NGO in the world.

Last night, while leaving BRAC Center to go shopping I saw Mr. Abed presiding over a presentation in the front of the BRAC Center. It ended soon and I went up and introduced myself to him and told him of my time with BRAC, what I am doing and expressed my admiration of him and his organization. He was very warm, was pleased to pose for a picture with me and indicated that he would like to come to work early to meet with me - before I left for America.

This morning I had the privelege of spending a half an hour with this extraordinary man and even was able to video interview him for 7 minutes - see link to the video below. He was totally captivating - interested and interesting. I told him of my interest in Uganda and working with BRAC there - and he was very supportive.

This morning - in the BRAC Restaurant I met Dr. Patrick Vaughan, Chairman of the Board of BRAC in the UK - and his wife Pauline. BRAC UK is helping support the BRAC Uganda project. They are also looking to do a microcredit program in London. Patrick introduced me to Sandra Kabir a Bangladeshi woman who is Executive Director of BRAC UK.

Patrick then introduced me to Susan Davis - President & CEO of BRAC USA and also Director Global Academy for Social Science Entrepreneurship. I had heard her name many times while visiting BRAC people and I also knew that she had been serving as Chairman of the Board of Grameen Foundation in America. She just completed six years in that role and continues to serve on the Board. I had a half hour with Susan exploring our many many mutual interests and friends and ways that we will be able to help each other in service to the poor. It was nice to not only be able to touch a woman for the first time on the trip - but also to be able to exchange an American style hug. Susan is also very involved with Uganda and encouraged me to not only work with Dr. Imran - but that she also wanted to be very helpful as she is very involved with that project.

I leave BRAC Inn and start my long trip home - savoring all the incredible moments in Bangladesh - while at the same time very much looking forward to getting home.

The trip started with time with Professor Muhammad Yunus, creator of Microcredit and Grameen Bank and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. I ended my trip with Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed, Chairman and Founder of BRAC - now the largest NGO in the world. I can't imagine how it gets better than that.

The trip has seemed like a trip of destiny with doors continually opening and connections made in miraculous ways.

I have been totally open to what is meant to be - and hope to continue to do so. Is my adventure really just beginning?

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Comments

[Lynn Cederquist]

A Night to Rember
Marty, I don't think it was an accident meeting all the right people at the perfect time. There is, as the photo of you and Mr. Abed Night, a 'light behind' all of this. Good job. Lynn