By Frederick Halley

• A conversation with President Irfaan Ali
  

MEET Brandon Willabus, the remarkable 16-year-old whose birthday wish came true in the most unforgettable way with a special meeting with His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

To celebrate this milestone birthday, Brandon travelled to Guyana from Brooklyn, New York with his parents, Winston and Dimple Willabus. Both Winston and Dimple are proud Guyanese by birth, and with Brandon enjoying a break from school for the Thanksgiving holiday, they decided there was no better place to mark his 16th year than in the land of their roots.

Quietly, they added a meaningful surprise: A request for Brandon to meet the President, a wish the Office of the President graciously approved.

Filled with anticipation, Brandon embarked on this memorable journey, excited not only to celebrate his birthday but also to fulfil his dream of meeting President Ali. During their conversation, Brandon enthusiastically posed the thoughtful questions he had prepared for an article he intends to write for his school’s newspaper.

This meeting was especially significant to Brandon. Back in September, he attended President Ali’s Meet and Greet in New York with his parents but did not get the chance to speak with him. His interest in meeting the President was sparked by research he has been conducting on Guyana, particularly its recent oil and gas discoveries, and he hoped to gain deeper insights directly from the nation’s leader.

A student at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York, Brandon is an accomplished young scholar and leader, serving as Chair of the Civic Committee and Vice-President of the Model United Nations.

Although he had visited Guyana once before at the age of four, this trip held a special significance and in many ways. Brandon is no stranger to Guyana’s literary and cultural landscape. He appeared on the cover of his sister Anaya Willabus’ first published book, The Day Mohan Found His Confidence, which was released ten years ago.

For Brandon and his family, this journey became more than a birthday celebration. It was a heartfelt reconnection with heritage, an inspiring moment of leadership and learning, and a memory that will stay with them for a lifetime.