When President Obama dreamed of becoming a president 40 years ago in Indonesia, his classmates had no idea his dream would come true. Their memories of that time have been collected in a book, launched this week at Menteng Elementary School where the President attended from 1970 to 1971.

The book launch for “Obama, Child of Menteng” included a press conference with the book’s author, Damien Dematra, as the main speaker. Other speakers included the headmaster of Menteng Elementary School, the Deputy Mission from the U.S. Embassy, and one of Obama’s childhood friends.

The novel describes Obama’s childhood life at inner Menteng, where he attended Elementary Menteng School. It includes memories from his childhood friends and schoolmates.

[Damien Dematra, Author, “Obama, Child of Menteng”]:
“This book tells about dreams – the power of dreams. If we want to dream, then there will always be hope. This is to inspire young generations to dare to dream. If they dare to dream, nothing is impossible, because since his childhood, Obama dreamed about being a president.”

One of Obama’s childhood friends still remembers their time together.

[Slamet Januadi, Obama’s Childhood Friend]:
“It’s usual for kids [to say] who wants to be president, who wants to be a soldier, who wants to be a businessman. Well at that time, we didn’t think that [Obama would be President], but Barry said, 'A president doesn’t have anything, but a businessman has money, and a soldier has a weapon.'"

[Damien Dematra, Author, “Obama, Child of Menteng”]:
“I think Obama is proof of pluralistic success – a minority that can be a president in a different majority country. It’s a magnificent achievement.”

The novel will be given to President Obama during his visit to Indonesia on March 23. There are plans to make it into a film later this year.

NTD News, Jakarta, Indonesia.