President Barack Obama to Fingertalk: "Keep up the good work!"
Wednesday, 7 September 2016 would be a date I always remember. As I nervously held my passport, waiting for my turn to pass the security, I prayed in my heart that I would get picked to sit behind the stage of YSEALI Summit Town Hall, so that my face would be seen behind President Obama while he was talking. So that I would be in a same frame as POTUS, and so that I could show my parents at home. I was hoping to make them proud.
Unfortunately, I was not selected. The town hall staff, some are from The White House, escorted me to the audience seats. My disappointment suddenly changed to a wide smile. I quickly realized that I got to sit at the front row, right in front of the stage! I would just be couple meters away from President Obama himself! From that moment, I continued my prayers, but this time I was hoping for The White House staff to not change her mind and escort me out of my seat.
That day was my second day in the YSEALI Summit. It is a follow up Summit for YSEALI Professional and Academic Fellowship program alumni to learn more about sustainable development, network with other ASEAN youths and to listen to the townhall by President Obama. Yes, we know he would be present at the summit. Yes, we also know that he would be getting questions from us, so I have prepared my question. I have prepared myself to raise my hand when he lets us.
However, I did not prepare myself to be mentioned by him.
After waiting for couple hours (and continuous praying to keep my seat), I could not contain myself with excitement when I saw President Obama walked onto the stage. I have prepared my phone to take photos as he entered the room, but I totally forgot to do so. His presence absorbed everyone's attention in the room (of course, he is POTUS after all!). I was clapping my hands, still cannot believe that here in Luang Prabang, I was going to listen to President Barack Obama.
He talked about his trip to Laos, YSEALI and how ASEAN is a region that dear to his heart. His past in Indonesia, where he saw his mum working with rural women has encouraged him to create programs empower ASEAN youths and also girls and women. He highlighted Let Girls Learn and English for All program. I was listening with full attention. I would not want to miss every second. I was capturing every moment, dying to tell my parents back home, wishing they could be here.
But then my heart skipped a beat.
"And before I take questions, I just want to highlight two YSEALI role models whose stories have really inspired me and I think will inspire you as well."
I remembered the phone call I received from The White House couple days before the Town Hall. A lady from Speechwriting Office has called and asked me about my time in the US, what I learned from YSEALI and also what made me started Fingertalk. It was a very fun interview. I could not believe that The White House called! However, at the end of the call, she told me that this story may or may not be in the actual speech as they were still talking to other alumni as well. So I did not have my hopes up.
President Obama mentioned Mimi, a YSEALI Pro Fellows alumni from Thailand who worked with indigenous tribes in rural Thailand. She is such an inspiration. She empowers rural women with her projects and her time in the US has helped her to learn more about the community. I applauded Mimi when President Obama asked her about the cowboy hat she got in Montana, USA.
Then my heart beat really hard. President Obama said there are two alumni he wanted to highlight right?
"The second person I want to introduce is Dissa Ahdanisa."
He said my name! President Barack Obama mentioned my name, I could not believe it.
"Is Dissa here?"
Still speechless, I raised my hand. I was right in front of him. I stood up and said thank you.
President Obama smiled and went on with his speech.
"After her experience in America through YSEALI, she said, “When I came back to Indonesia, I realized I love the United States not because of the fancy stuff, but because of the people and because of their kindness.” And so I want you to know that the American people feel the same way about you.
But it was actually Dissa’s time volunteering in Nicaragua a few years ago that set her on a new course. One day, she happened across a café for the deaf. And at first, she just wanted to learn a new language -- in this case, the sign language spoken by the waiters and waitresses. She came to realize that café was a great way to empower people with a disability. She visited schools for the deaf, made deaf friends.
Last year, Dissa opened the Fingertalk Café in Indonesia to provide job opportunities for the deaf community there. And I’ve been told great things about the café -- because my receptionist, as you know in the White House, a wonderful young woman named Leah, she visited earlier this year. She is deaf, and she is the receptionist at the White House. So when you come visit the White House, she’s the first person you meet. And she signs. And she wanted me to tell you how proud she is of you. So, congratulations."
Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. I did not stop muttering that word. Thank you, God.
Thank you Leah, thank you White House, thank you Dr. Mason for letting Fingertalk met Leah and other awesome deaf delegates last January. Thank you mum and dad. Thank you Fingertalk crew. The list could go on forever and I was thanking everyone in my head.
To my surprise, he still continued. "So Dissa says she wants her country to be a place where people can “achieve dreams without restriction;” where her daughter “can be who she wants to be…[and] inspire other people with what she’s doing.” And I’m inspired by what Dissa is doing, because here, on my final trip to Asia as President, I want to make sure that all of you keep on inspiring others the way these two young women are inspiring people in their countries and around the world."
I still could not believe that President Obama acknowledged Fingertalk, he acknowledged our work and he is inspired by what we are doing in Fingertalk! I said thank you to him thousands of time during that remarks, once even using ASL just because he was so awesome!
In Q&A, President Obama again mentioned Fingertalk. He said that you could find inspiration from other part of the world. Fingertalk was inspired by Cafe de Las Sonrisas in Nicaragua, so who knows that maybe someone from Africa who visits ASEAN find a new concept that he/she could use in his/her country.
At the end of the Town Hall, President Obama went down the stage and shook our hands. When it was my turn, I said "Thank you Mr. President. Please say hi to Leah"
He shook my hand and said "Keep up the good work!"
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| Embracing my West Sumatran roots that day with traditional "Songket" |
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| That's how close I was with the stage! |
However, I did not prepare myself to be mentioned by him.
After waiting for couple hours (and continuous praying to keep my seat), I could not contain myself with excitement when I saw President Obama walked onto the stage. I have prepared my phone to take photos as he entered the room, but I totally forgot to do so. His presence absorbed everyone's attention in the room (of course, he is POTUS after all!). I was clapping my hands, still cannot believe that here in Luang Prabang, I was going to listen to President Barack Obama.
 |
| President Obama delivered his remarks - talking about ASEAN and importance of girls' education |
But then my heart skipped a beat.
"And before I take questions, I just want to highlight two YSEALI role models whose stories have really inspired me and I think will inspire you as well."
I remembered the phone call I received from The White House couple days before the Town Hall. A lady from Speechwriting Office has called and asked me about my time in the US, what I learned from YSEALI and also what made me started Fingertalk. It was a very fun interview. I could not believe that The White House called! However, at the end of the call, she told me that this story may or may not be in the actual speech as they were still talking to other alumni as well. So I did not have my hopes up.
President Obama mentioned Mimi, a YSEALI Pro Fellows alumni from Thailand who worked with indigenous tribes in rural Thailand. She is such an inspiration. She empowers rural women with her projects and her time in the US has helped her to learn more about the community. I applauded Mimi when President Obama asked her about the cowboy hat she got in Montana, USA.
Then my heart beat really hard. President Obama said there are two alumni he wanted to highlight right?
"The second person I want to introduce is Dissa Ahdanisa."
He said my name! President Barack Obama mentioned my name, I could not believe it.
"Is Dissa here?"
Still speechless, I raised my hand. I was right in front of him. I stood up and said thank you.
President Obama smiled and went on with his speech.
"After her experience in America through YSEALI, she said, “When I came back to Indonesia, I realized I love the United States not because of the fancy stuff, but because of the people and because of their kindness.” And so I want you to know that the American people feel the same way about you.
But it was actually Dissa’s time volunteering in Nicaragua a few years ago that set her on a new course. One day, she happened across a café for the deaf. And at first, she just wanted to learn a new language -- in this case, the sign language spoken by the waiters and waitresses. She came to realize that café was a great way to empower people with a disability. She visited schools for the deaf, made deaf friends.
Last year, Dissa opened the Fingertalk Café in Indonesia to provide job opportunities for the deaf community there. And I’ve been told great things about the café -- because my receptionist, as you know in the White House, a wonderful young woman named Leah, she visited earlier this year. She is deaf, and she is the receptionist at the White House. So when you come visit the White House, she’s the first person you meet. And she signs. And she wanted me to tell you how proud she is of you. So, congratulations."
 |
| With Leah in January 2016 at Fingertalk when USAIndo Deaf Leaders came visit |
Thank you Leah, thank you White House, thank you Dr. Mason for letting Fingertalk met Leah and other awesome deaf delegates last January. Thank you mum and dad. Thank you Fingertalk crew. The list could go on forever and I was thanking everyone in my head.
To my surprise, he still continued. "So Dissa says she wants her country to be a place where people can “achieve dreams without restriction;” where her daughter “can be who she wants to be…[and] inspire other people with what she’s doing.” And I’m inspired by what Dissa is doing, because here, on my final trip to Asia as President, I want to make sure that all of you keep on inspiring others the way these two young women are inspiring people in their countries and around the world."
I still could not believe that President Obama acknowledged Fingertalk, he acknowledged our work and he is inspired by what we are doing in Fingertalk! I said thank you to him thousands of time during that remarks, once even using ASL just because he was so awesome!
In Q&A, President Obama again mentioned Fingertalk. He said that you could find inspiration from other part of the world. Fingertalk was inspired by Cafe de Las Sonrisas in Nicaragua, so who knows that maybe someone from Africa who visits ASEAN find a new concept that he/she could use in his/her country.
At the end of the Town Hall, President Obama went down the stage and shook our hands. When it was my turn, I said "Thank you Mr. President. Please say hi to Leah"
He shook my hand and said "Keep up the good work!"
I smiled so wide. When President Obama said "keep up the good work", we should keep going and never backed down. Let's do this, Fingertalk. Let's work harder and create a bigger impact in Indonesia and hopefully, the world.
Thank you YSEALI, thank you Mr. President!
P.S if you are interested in watching the whole Town Hall, here is the link. His remarks about Fingertalk is on the 11th minute:
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