JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Jakartans can take pride that the 44th American President Barrack Obama spent his childhood in this city. The Friends of Obama foundation tries to keep the pride by erecting a little Obama' statue to honor the president's childhood.
The statue was inaugerated modestly in Menteng Park, Central Jakarta, by the Central Jakarta Mayor, Sylviana Murni, Thursday. Attending the event was the head of Friends of Obama, Ron Muellers.
In his inauguration speech, Ron stated his hopes that the statue of Obama can inspire children in Indonesia to dare to dream and achieve success like Barrack Obama. "To think that Obama used to play around here. And now he's a world leader."
Central Jakarta Mayor Sylviana Murni also welcomed the statue of little Obama. She said that the citizens of Jakarta can take pride that Barrack Obama grew up and studied here. "May this inspire our children."
The statue is made of bronze, and 2 meters tall. It was designed by artist Leo Angelo and sculpted by the sculpter Edi Chaniago. On the plaque below the statue is Obama's noble message for Indonesian children: "The future belongs to those who believe in the power of their dreams".
Children from Menteng State Primary School 01, where young Obama used to study also attended the inauguration of the statue. They presented dances and traditional songs.
At the inauguration, there were also a representative of the American Ambassador and a number of benefactors of the statue, such as Mien R. Uno, Hasyim Joyo Hadikusumo, and Surya Paloh. There were also hundreds of students and some teachers from Menteng State Primary School 01, and a number of Obama's childhood friends. (C11-09/C17-09)
