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What can we
do?
After Sadako died, her Bamboo classmates said to each other, "Let's do something
for Sadako." That they, her friends, were able to do nothing for her left
a painful feeling in their hearts.
Someone said, "Can we erect a gravestone for her? If it is nearby, we can
visit it every day."

Date of photo unknown / Sasaki family
Sadako's classmates take action.
"What if we make a monument in Peace Memorial Park? Not just for Sadako,
but for all the children who died from the atomic bomb."
"Do we have what it takes to do something like that?" The students were
worried.
"But I really want to do something for Sadako."
"I want to get rid of atomic bombs." These were the emotions that moved
the group to action.
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Children's Peace Monument |
Children around Japan cooperate
with the movement.
Sadako's former Bamboo classmates began a movement
to raise funds for a monument. Their call elicited a huge response that
they had not anticipated. More than 3000 schools around Japan sent money
and letters saying, "Please use this to help build the monument." In January
1957, it was officially decided to build the Children's Peace Monument in
Peace Memorial Park.
The statue was completed on Children's Day ( 5 May ) in 1958, two years
after Sadako Sasaki's death.
Though Sadako and the other children who had passed away would not return,
the inscription carved into the stone in front of the monument at least
carried the hope, "Let no more children fall victim to an atomic bombing."
This is our cry.
This is our prayer.
For building peace in the world.
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| The figures on the Children's
Peace Monument were designed by Kazuo Kikuchi, former professor at the Tokyo
University of Fine Arts and Music. The stand was designed by Kiyoshi Ikebe,
former professor of the University of Tokyo. Underneath the arch sometimes
hangs a bell donated by nuclear physicist Hideki Yukawa, PhD. |
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