OBAMA CHILD STATUE TO BE UNVEILED IN JAKARTA
A statue of a young Barack Obama will be dedicated on Thursday, December 10 at 11am, in the Jakarta neighborhood where the U.S. president lived and played as a boy. The two-meter tall bronze figure and pedestal will be unveiled at the busiest corner of Taman Menteng Park.
It is the first statue of Obama to be erected anywhere in the world. Governor Fauzi Bowo will lead the dedication ceremony. “This statue is designed to inspire Indonesia’s children, to tell them that they can be anyone they want to be,” says Ron Mullers, chairman of the non-profit, non-political Friends of Obama foundation that raised the money for the project. “We want kids to look at it and say ‘wow, he played around here and now he’s a world leader!” An adapted quote from former U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt is on one side. It states “The future belongs to those who believe in the power of their dreams.” The statue depicts Obama at age 10, when he lived in Jakarta with mother Ann Dunham-Soetoro, stepfather Lolo Soetoro and younger half-sister Maya.
It was designed by graphic artist Leo Angelo and cast by Ancol sculptor Edi. The 10 patrons who contributed to the cost of the figure are Rudy Pesik, Mien R. Uno, Judith Soeryadjaya, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Prananda Surya Paloh, Norman Chen, Benny Suyudono, Adistrya Sulisto, B Channel (Television) and Partners for Compassion. City officials believe it will become a popular tourist spot, along with Obama’s nearby school and childhood home.
For more information, contact Mullers at 081-8186911 or by e-mailing mullersfamily@yahoo.com.
