skip

Rotary International 2530D district community service mmittee

"Hope of Light."                        Iwaki group 10RC

Return to Menu
10 RCs in Iwaki Group Promote Construction of "Light of Hope" Monument
A total of 400 young Buddhist priests, walking in the midwinter cold via the Nakasendo , helped to carry a flame taken from the "1.17 Light of Hope" monument in Kobe all the way to Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, a distance of 805 kilometers. Kobe's "Light of Hope" monument was erected in memory of the victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 and as a symbol of restoration and reconstruction.

The 10 Rotary Clubs in the Iwaki Group played a central role in collecting funds from around the country to erect the Iwaki monument, which will be permanently alight in memory of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, for the repose of their souls, and as a prayer for restoration and reconstruction. Thanks to donations and volunteer work by Rotarians, an unveiling ceremony was held in Taira Central Park on March 11 with the attendance of many citizens.

Members of the RID 2530 Sakura Rotary Club then sang "3.11 Life Goes On" and,together with kindergarten children, "Flowers Will Bloom," which has become a reconstruction anthem. After the singing, which filled the venue with tears and emotion, participants lit cup candles from the monument flame, wrote down their wishes, and stood together in the park in a prayer in memory of the victims, for the repose of their souls, and for restoration and reconstruction.
The memorial flame will continue to burn 24 hours a day, every day, to give the people of Fukushima courage and hope.