Overcoming Childhood Struggles to Achieve Dream of Becoming a Pilot and Entrepreneur

Leslie Alexander Williams was born on the 1st April 1993 to Lesley and Michelle Williams
at the Georgetown Public Hospital.  He is the 2nd child for his parents and hails from Melanie Damishana. There he spent most of his childhood years. His mom always worked hard and provided for him and his siblings.

He dubbed his childhood as miserable. He said, “Most of my school days, I had to work, whether it’s doing odd jobs for my neighbours which will put a little money in my pocket to assist my mom. Sometimes I would also walk and sell chicken, chicken foot, black pudding, icicle, chicken and saltfish. I would say, I was short changed from my childhood and schooling while growing up.”

Leslie’s educational journey started at Winfer Gardens Primary School, where he wrote the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and gained a spot at Tutorial High School. After one term he then transferred to Bladen Hall Multilateral School and due to financial circumstances, he wrote five subjects at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and gained passes in four.

In 2011, he joined Qualfon Guyana Inc. as a customer service representative for a year, after which he decided to join the Guyana Police Force and he was successful after writing the GPF Entrance Exam. Alexander joined the Guyana Police in 2012 and was placed at the Tactical service Unit.

He said, “I wanted to continue my studies, but it was quite difficult back then, so I made a
deal with the officer in charge at the time, and I began working in the Environmental Section
where I would normally weed the compound with brush cutters alongside several prisoners
who would normally to perform environmental duties at the Tactical Service Unit. I would
weed the compound in the morning between the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., then I would
attend school at the Institute of Business Education and return at 16:00 hrs and continue
weeding until the place is dark.”

He added, “It was embarrassing at times, and I had to put aside my pride a lot because I was
working towards my goals.”

Many days, he thought to himself, “after writing back my subjects I would be transferred to
the Criminal Investigation Department.”

Alexander went on to write seven subjects at CXC and gained passes in six subjects.

After rewriting CXC, he was nominated to pursue a Crime Scene Course conducted by the
Criminal Investigation Department, and he came out successful in that course and was
awarded a certificate attesting to this effect.

“At the graduation the Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum asked all who are from the Tactical
Service Unit, and I stood up he looked at me and said you know with immediate effect you
are now stationed at the Criminal Investigation Department Eve Leary. I became
overwhelmed at that time, however that meant, I no longer had to weed the grass. I then went
on to work at the Crime Laboratory for six years as a crime scene investigator, where my
duties saw me doing fingerprinting photography and crime scene investigation for cases. I
also played a part in most of the cold cases in Guyana,” he mentioned.

The young officer went on to participate in several courses such as anti -trafficking in person,
detection of firearms trafficking, major case management for investigators, criminal
investigation induction course, occupational safety and health, amongst others.

He then went on to work in Region 4b as the subordinate officer in charge of the crime scene
unit and then he was transferred to Region 4c where he performed the duties of both Crime
scene, and investigation. Alexander is presently stationed at the Mahaica Police Station and
attached to the Criminal Investigation Department.

He was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship by the Guyana Police Force, to pursue
studies at the Art Williams and Harry Wendy Aeronautical Engineering School.

Alexander is a father of three children- two boys and one girl.

Even though it is a bit challenging for him, he continues to persevere. The budding pilot said,
“It has been my childhood dream to become a pilot, there were lots of hurdles getting to this
stage, but now I can safely say determination can get you to your dreams and I'm working
towards mine.”

Alexander has launched a printing business called, ‘Fresh Prince Printing Studio.’ The
young entrepreneur said, “I am popularly known as Fresh Prince, hence I decided to name my
business after my nickname so it can be easily identified and/or remembered.”

At the printing studio, he does graphic designing (logos, business cards, flyers, certificates,
brochures, etc), design and printing services (plaques, t-shirts, bags, cups, and hats) amongst
others.