Menteng students overjoyed with Obama's win

The Jakarta Post   |  Wed, 11/05/2008 3:02 PM  |  Jakarta

"Obama... Obama... Obama... We love you!" yelled hundreds of students from all grades in a Menteng elementary school in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, as they watched results come in for the U.S. presidential election.

Students and teachers were overjoyed to suspend classes, gather in a 1,500 square meter ballroom and witness how a former student of the school became elected the next president of the United States.

Headmaster Kuswadiyanto said the teachers and students had been starting their school day differently during the past few days.

"Every morning before lessons start, we've been praying for Barry, hoping for him to win the election," Kuswadiyanto said, as quoted by kompas.com.

As tallies on the television screen grew and confirmed Obama's win, all the students expressed their happiness by running around, scattering all over the place, dashing out of the ballroom and roaming the schoolyard even though rain was pouring down.

Obama's victory was also their victory. They were proud that the one-time Menteng student had became the leader of the most powerful country on the planet. "I want Obama to come here so we can talk with him," said Ajo, a fifth grader.

The teachers said the school would pray for Obama again on Thursday. "We want to express our thankfulness, so we will continue praying for him.... Today we are just enjoying this victory with the students," Kuswadiyanto said. (and)
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Yola (not verified) — Tue, 11/11/2008 - 9:38am

Is it mean Indonesia starting loose a leader figure?

Iyen (not verified) — Mon, 11/10/2008 - 10:10pm

Brother Obama, We are proud of you that being chosen as the President of the United States, YOu are the Chosen one by our Lord,the same as he instructed Samuel to Jesse:" Arise, Anoint him(David),for this is the one." ISamuel16:12,You are the next king.
We are brothers becasue we share one common Father who is in Heaven. Our Father loves you, Remembers " Those who love me will obey my teaching, My Father will love them, and my Fathber and I will come to them and live with them. Those who donot love me donot obey my teaching. And the teaching you have is no mine, but comes from the FAther who sent Me."
Brother Obama, here is the msssage from our Father:"Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God."
No More Bloodshedding in any countries,show them Our Father loves the world, and Our Father loves you. Brother Obama, you are being look up by all the children in this world,be a good role model as Jesus, those peopel may see your works and your living example:thus glorify your Father in Heaven.
Jakarta

Sidhartta Jakarta (not verified) — Mon, 11/10/2008 - 12:36pm

Yes,brother! Yes,We can. From unkown person became a celebrity and all the way to the whitehouse. Yes,we can. It surely proves to us that everyone who got a big dream and hardwork,the dream will come to reality one day. Yes,Menteng Kid,YOU Surely can and made the history. Congratulations,Brother Obama,The elected President of the United States.

Anonymous2008 (not verified) — Sat, 11/08/2008 - 8:07am

I am a US citizen of Indonesian origins. I voted for Obama, because I am a Liberal and Social Democrat at heart and I believe he is one, too. He is not a Socialist, he is a Social Democrat within capitalistic confines as capitalism, is afterall, America's nature. I voted for him, because I hope he will uphold Roe vs Wade and will continue to give women the right to choose whether or not they want an abortion. I voted for him, because I am hoping that he will end the war in Iraq and Afghanistan while still taking into consideration the wellbeing of the two nations' citizens. I believe that he will be somebody who considers the environment when making his policies, including those on oil drilling. I voted for him, because I want a president who will not embarrass me when he is representing the US on the world stage. As much as I am happy that Indonesia is also supporting Obama's win, but from my observation it is true that Indonesians are supporting him from a very naive standpoint. I agree with the gentleman who said that he wishes the teachers in Obama's old elementary school had spent more time in having the students look at American democracy and election issues from a critical thinking perspective to understand why they are supporting him. I went to school in Indonesia for some time, and from my own experience back then, rarely was critical thinking on the agenda, and it seems so now as well. I hope this will change as Indonesia grows older and wiser.

Riani nurainah (not verified) — Fri, 11/07/2008 - 2:45pm

Menteng students and teachers -and many Indoensians- were overjoyed.. Obama only lived in Indonesia for several years.. Does Indonesia remains in his heart? What will he do for Indonesia? why many Indonesians support him? Do they know his program and vision which has benefits to Indonesians? or there's no more reasons to support him, except he had ever lived in Indonesia? I think it is not a good reason. Let's back to Indonesia... and just think about our country and next general election..

GAS (not verified) — Fri, 11/07/2008 - 6:49am

Something crossed my mind.....:) Is it true that the so-called 'freedom' of whatsoever really prevails in the USA? Is it true that it is happening in the USA or perhaps there is some agenda-setting just to win the election? The motto to provide a change has basically changed the political constellations in the USA. Hope that everything will really change for the better, not for the worse. This can only be achieved by positive thinking. Well, time will surely tell. Congratulations!

Alda (not verified) — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 2:27pm

I am overjoyed by Barrack Obama's victory on the US presidential election. I hope he will be able to fulfill his promises to America and to the world. And also he will always remember that he was once 'the Menteng kid' therefore remembers Indonesia.

Martha Effendy (not verified) — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 9:02am

Wowww..How fantastic Menteng's students are..Im also happy about this news..I hope that this news will make everybody happy..I also thank for God...Go Obama..Go Obama..Go Obama...^_^

Zahra (not verified) — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 8:01am

I am still waiting to exhale..

Mdtrager — Thu, 11/06/2008 - 3:02am

Dear Reader,

I have been for so long waiting the Day, when I can say, ounce again,'We have a person in office that is able to ,Understand
The World, in the Right WAY'.
The Fact is that I am the average person, and the Image of
a Man, which fits the World Image , is now in place. The World,
can say Welcome to this Man. The fact that he in turn, can turn
to it, and say, Welcome Brother, is enough to call the World to
a Place that we can change.
The Use of Force, will still be here, but it's USE, will
be the LAST thing we do and not a Too; of Leverage.
The new day is here but , We the People have the JOB, to
Change the Action's of The State, and The Action's that we have
had to take, and No Longer Need to take to Live in Fear.
Joy to the World!
Yours Truly,

Michael Trager

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