Première partie (part 1)
We’ve talked a lot about peace in our blog. Dissecting it in the Weekend Word, discussing ways to obtain peace. Days before World Peace Day (November 17) the world again experienced several senseless and horrific terror attacks. Today, I want to tell you the story of one girl, Sadako Sasaki, who inspired people around the word to become advocates for peace.
On August 6, 1945 – The world changed forever. This is the day the world’s first atomic bomb was detonated in Hiroshima. Thousands of people died in an instant. For many others who survived, they would continue to feel the effects of the bomb for many years. Sadako is one of these girls. For Sadako, who at the age of 2 survived the bomb along with her family, life eventually went back to normal.
However, 10 years later, Sadako began to feel sick and dizzy while at school. After visiting doctors at the Red Cross, she was diagnosed with Leukemia – the deadly disease that many of her fellow a-bomb survivors contracted.
While in the hospital, Sadako’s friend told her about the ancient Japanese legend where anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted one wish by the crane. Sadako began folding cranes with her 1 wish “I want to live.”
Sadly, Sadako passed away before she could complete the 1,000 cranes. However, her story of peace doesn’t end there. Her death inspired her fellow classmates, many of whom were also survivors of the nuclear bomb, to take action. They decided to start a movement to erect a monument in Peace Memorial Park to commemorate not just Sadako, but all the children who were affected by the nuclear bomb.
It took two and a half years to raise the funds and build the Children’s Peace Monument. The monument, which is a young girl holding a paper crane on top of a pedestal, stands at nearly 30 feet tall and serves as a reminder of the devastating affects war has on all people, but especially children. There is a stone that reads “Let no more children fall victim to an atomic bombing.” “Thus is our cry. This is our prayer. For building peace in the world.” To this day, children from around the world will send cranes, with a wish for peace, to be placed under the Children’s Peace Monument.
Sadako has become the face of all the children affected by the atomic bomb. There are several Sadako Peace Day’s and even a Sadako Peace Park in Seattle, WA.
Sadako’s story also inspired “Peaceguy” Don Morris to create World Peace Day to encourage people to participate in public demonstrations for peace. He recommends placing paper cranes throughout your city a reminder of the wish for peace, mail your public officials to encourage policies that end war and violence, and leave your headlights on Nov. 17 as a public demonstration for peace.
In this time where we pray for world peace, let’s remember Sadako, and all the children affected by war and violence. Share her story with your children. Construct paper cranes with a wish for peace. Here are a few links to help you:
Sadako’s Story/The Birth of The Children’s Peace Monument: http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/frame/kids_e/sadako_e/index.html
World Peace Day (w/ crane instruction page): http://www.peaceday.org
Sadako Peace Park, Seattle, WA: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=4029
Wishing You Peace,
Cristen
