Bart Peereboom

Alif had just graduated from Pondok Madani. He returned to Maninjau and couldn't wait to start college. However, his friend, Randai, doubted that Alif would pass the entrance exam for university because he did not have a high school certificate. He obtained the certificate and passed the exam at Padjadjaran University. Then, Alif's father's passing forever nearly made him despair. His favorite proverb, "man jadda wa jada," which means "whoever strives will succeed," seemed insufficient to face life, so he remembered his other favorite proverb, "man shabara zhafira," meaning "whoever is patient will be successful." Armed with these two sayings, Alif tried not to be afraid in the face of every obstacle in his life.

Four different families in a medium-sized Dutch city are followed. Their children attend the same high school. The parents all have their own way of raising children. But for all of them it is true that they set the bar very high for themselves and their little ones: life must be perfect above all!