Havana, August 26 (RHC) -– Eight-year-old Marlon Mendez, who has a large collection of photos of Fidel Castro, has personally met with the leader of the Cuban Revolution.

Mendez began collecting Fidel’s photos when he was three years old and always wanted to have his picture taken with the Revolution leader, sharing and speaking with him, according to Cuban television.

The boy said that after a TV report on his collection was aired, he received a phone call inviting him to visit Fidel. He said he took along with him a copy of the book “The Strategic Victory,” which Fidel personally dedicated to him. The two talked about the upcoming school year and agriculture.

The young boy has plastered his bedroom walls with photos and posters of Fidel. For the meeting, he wore an olive-green military uniform, made by his grandmother, which resembles one that Fidel used to wear.

The child’s mother, Wendy Cabrera, said she was moved to see that her son had his dream come true and was also impressed at shaking hands with the Comandante and speaking with him.