I was asked on behalf of UNC to come and cover a guest speaker they would have in Chapel Hill.  Little did I know, the guest speaker was non other than Dr. Muhammad Yunus!

This was such an extreme  honor, my words can’t even express it.  Dr. Yunus not only won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, but he’s also from my native country of Bangladesh!  How awesome is that?  He pretty much single handedly introduced the concept of micro-financing with Grameen bank in Bangladesh, and revolutionized the country because of it.  If you don’t know much about what he did or why he got the much deserving award, I suggest you find out a bit more information here… it’s very interesting.   Although I was mostly focused on getting these pictures, I also very much enjoyed his lecture.  His brilliant ways of combining both business and humanitarian efforts are just remarkable.  His ideas is simply not to waste anything, because someone can always find use for it.  I remember one part I found particularly interesting was his relationship with Danon yogurt company.  Danon approached him to see how may be able to help him.  His response was, make an affordable yogurt for poor people, that anyone can buy.  However, this yogurt must have all the vitamins and minerals that children are lacking in the poorest part.  This way the yogurt can be given to all children, and it will not only feed them, but pretty much give them the suppliments they desperately need.  When Danon agreed, he said there’s still one problem… the cups are made out of plastic.  You should make the cups edible as well, so it’s not just being wasted.  On top of that, that edible cup should also contain vitamins and nutrients since it’s being eaten 🙂  This concept of helping people, conducting business, and not wasting anything is just amazing to me.

This was a very informative shoot, and I thoroughly enjoyed being there.  If you ever get a chance to hear this man speak, be sure you’re there.  I also suggest you read his book: creating a world without poverty.  It may very well change your outlook on life and what you can do for the needy.

So… here are the pictures:

This guy waited at the door throughout the whole speech, and then right when they’re giving him the award, literally jumps in front of everyone, block their view, and takes pictures like a paparazzi.  The most unprofessional photographer I’ve ever seen.

I wanted a quick picture with the man, but no one knew how to use my camera in there 🙁  <– that’s how sad I was because this picture wasn’t focused