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Peace Tour Builds UPF in Benin
Monday, July 24, 2006
Cotonou, Benin - Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon and her son Hyo Jin arrived in Cotonou, Benin, on July 23, to deliver the UPF peace message and were greeted by UPF leaders as well as a delegation of Ambassadors for Peace and government representatives.
Immediately after arriving, she traveled to a major orphanage in Cotonou. She met with the administrators and with the children and, on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation and the International Relief Friendship Foundation, offered a $10,000 donation for the children’s education. There is a growing population of African children who lost their parents due to untimely deaths from HIV/AIDS, and in some cases, civil war.
The main event was held at the Palais de Congres in Cotonou, a large, beautiful, very new conference hall situated right on Benin’s Atlantic coastline. Two thousand two hundred people gathered; there was standing room only for an audience that included government ministers, members of parliament, religious leaders, civic leaders, and many others. Professor Yosou Dovo, a long-time associate of the Professors World Peace Academy, presided over the pre-program.
Hyo Jin Moon read the Peace Message with great dignity and passion, making a profound impact. By the time Mother Moon was welcomed to the stage, the audience erupted with deafening cheers and then listened quietly and respectfully. Following the main event, UPF Chair Rev. Chung Hwan Kwak hosted a dinner, and several participants offered their reflections:
Hon. Kogblevi Aziadome, a former government minister: “I had such a deep impression from meeting Mother Moon and Hyo Jin. I felt some kind of deep, extraordinary illumination. When Mother Moon entered the room, we just couldn’t contain our joy, and we wanted to give glory to God.”
Hon. Davo, MP: “I was appointed as an Ambassador for Peace today. I need so much education, and this was a good beginning. When Mother Moon spoke I was reminded of the importance of my family and the need to love my family. This is the key to peace.”
His Majesty Eglacoturt II, Head of the Association of Traditional Rulers in Benin: “I did not expect such a fantastic event. All the people of Benin are rejoicing because of this event, including all the traditional chiefs.”
Grace Lawani Gangbo: “Why is Benin so poor? We are missing something. We need true love and peace. We women of Benin need to make harmony in this nation, particularly among the religions.”
In the morning, Mother Moon spoke to people who had gathered from Ghana, Niger, Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Burkina Faso, and Togo. “I visited an orphanage here,” she said. “It reminded me of Korea after the war. In the 1950s after the Korean War, we had nothing. I saw makeshift tents and crumbled houses on the streets of Benin. In Korea many young people went out to the countryside to teach during their school vacations. I see that African countries are like Korea after the war. You can develop quickly and become even greater than Korea. I feel so happy when I see Africans.”
“Africa has rich soil, rain, and potential for development,” she said. “Cultivate your heart for loving nature and not a greedy heart for immediate return. In this way you can develop this country. May God’s blessing be upon your country.”
To read a message delivered during the UPF peace tours click here.