1000 PAPER CRANES
Friday 18th March 2011
My book Cherry Crush is about a girl who is half-Japanese, and a Japanese theme runs all through the story. For me, as for all who love Japan and its culture, the recent earthquake, tsunami and threatened nuclear disaster has been shocking and scary.
I wanted to do something to help, and found myself thinking of the story of the 1000 Paper Cranes. In Japanese legend, anyone who makes 1000 paper cranes is granted a wish. In 1955, a Japanese girl, Sadako Sasaki, became ill with radiation sickness after the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Sadako planned to make 1000 paper cranes, but she had folded only 644 cranes when she died aged just 12. Her friends made the remaining paper cranes and buried them with her… one of the saddest yet most beautiful stories of friendship ever. In Japan, the paper crane is a powerful symbol of peace and hope.
What better way to send your support, good wishes and prayers to Japan? Find yourself a square of paper, click the link and make your own paper crane for Japan – then send in your pics through any of the website links. Tell your friends, family and teachers and spread the word. Together, we can make 1000 cranes… and show Japan that we care.
If you’re able to raise money for those made homeless by the disaster, you can donate to the Red Cross.
Look out for more ideas of how you can help on the Secret Page and in the April online newsletter… with comps to reward all your hard work. If you haven’t signed up for the free online newsletter, you can do it here – you’ll find a clue for the password to the Secret Page in the newsletter, too.
Get folding… and send your thoughts and prayers to Japan.
xxx
You should do it both for Japan and Christchurch in New Zealand because they both had earthquakes but Christchurch is where I live and it’s badly damaged!
Hey Cathy,
I was shocked when I heard about the Japan disaster because its one of my Favourite countries.I’m inspired to try get a group of people to make as many paper cranes as possible,(I’m not that great at origami,remembering the last time I tried doing something) I reckon deep down that girl got a wish to be free.After the Christchurch Earthquake we had here in NZ I never thought Japan would get one too.I’m sure Christchurch is glad Japan supported us and I’m sure we’re supporting Japan.I sure hope it doesn’t end up like the Chernobyl disaster!
Goodluck everybody who’s making paper cranes and Super-duper-uper goodluck Japan.
Hey Cathy, At the school that I go to. We are making paper cranes and then writing a little note on them. Then I am think that they are all going to the local library!
When I read about the girl who wanted to make 1000 paper cranes but died when she only made 644, I nearly CRIED!
The Japan news is really shocking and upsetting, they’re just so innocent and it’s heartbreaking to see what a state Japan is in.
My family and I wish you luck for the future! Keep making fashion statements!
xxx
Every time i hear that story about sadako i cry but if you think about it, making these paper cranes could be the best thing WE could do to stop more people like sadako dieing, but this time of the earthquake. Good luck xxxx
I think the idea is fab! Good Luck to Everyone and good luck to Japan. The story about the Japanese girl is so sad and her friends are so kind! <3
I have the book ”Sadako and the thousand paper cranes” It is very sad.
its a good idea my heart goes out 2 all the poor people suffering in Japan. Im so lucky without realising it, Thanks Cathy. Fantastic idea
Hi Cathy
It’s really sad about Japan and at my Guides we are raising money to help them. The paper cranes is a great idea.
In our school our project is Japan and after learning so much I feel so bad for the poor helpless, homeless people.