Essay – Hiroshima Day – A Reflection
In a small city in Kenya, where the sun always feels warm on the skin and the laughter of children fills the air, lessons are learned not just about Kenya but about the whole world. One day our teacher shared a story about something that happened a very long time ago far away in a country called Japan. It was about Hiroshima Day.
At first it sounded like a distant tale but then the pictures were shown. They were black and white yet the sadness was palpable. On August 6th during the end of World War II a terrible bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. It was an atomic bomb and its power was immense destroying almost everything in a flash. Buildings turned to dust and countless people lost their lives or were severely injured. It was as if a giant angry monster had swept through the city, leaving only sorrow behind.
It is difficult to imagine such an event. In cities like mine worries often revolve around getting to work on time or the outcome of a school football match. But to think of a whole city full of people just like us mothers, fathers, children playing games, shopkeepers selling their goods, suddenly being gone. I am not sure what pain it causes to my heart. The story of Sadako Sasaki a little girl who tried to fold a thousand paper cranes for peace, hoping to recover from the sickness caused by the bomb is particularly poignant. Her story illustrates that even in the darkest times, hope for peace can endure.
Learning about Hiroshima Day prompts deep reflection on the meaning of peace. Here in Kenya there are also stories of struggles and coming together. It is understood that when people fight, everyone loses. The people of Hiroshima suffered immensely and it was a consequence of war. This teaches a crucial lesson i.e. war is never the answer. It only brings pain, destruction and tears.
Sometimes looking at the beautiful African sky, thoughts turn to the people of Hiroshima. There is a hope that their spirits are at peace. And there is a hope that people all over the world, especially those who make significant decisions, will remember what happened that day. Such a terrible event should never be allowed to happen again. Every year on August 6th Hiroshima is remembered not to dwell in sadness, but to serve as a powerful reminder to always choose peace.
It is believed that even a young girl, from a small village in Kenya, can contribute to this effort. By being kind to friends, by sharing, by resolving small disagreements peacefully, one contributes to peace. If everyone, everywhere, strived to be peaceful and understanding, perhaps the world would be a much safer and happier place. Hiroshima Day is a somber reminder, but it is also a powerful call for hope and peace for all humanity.
By Naomi Chebet Rotich
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