New photos of US President Barack Obama's childhood in Indonesia emerge

The U.S. President and his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, first set up home in the outskirt, Menteng Dalam area of Jakarta.

Many families still live there, and they told of memories of the boy they knew as Barry.

"He went to everyone's house, played kites with local kids, got stuck in swamps," said Coenraad Satja Koesoemah, who allowed Obama's mother to use his front room to give free English lessons to locals.

Obama's former teacher Israella Pareira, described the neighbourhood's reaction to the youngster's arrival.

She said: 'His mother was white, his father was Indonesian, and here was a black, chubby boy with curly hair. It was a big question mark for us.' 

Obama had been struggling with the Indonesian language for the first five months, but became proficient soon.

He quickly became a favourite of the teachers and the pupils there, but faced some teasing due to his looks.

Indonesia is now preparing to welcome the U.S. President back to the country for the first time since he stepped into office. 

During his Asia-Pacific tour, Obama will also visit Australia and Guam.

Barack Obama, then known as Barry Soetoro, centre, is pictured at a classmate's birthday party in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1971
The photo was given to AP by Hadi Surya Dharma, a childhood friend of Obama's,
who sits beside the future president in the black and white photo.