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
That’s such a pretty story, if sad. I think I’ll raise money for Japan. I might make some chocolates and box them up and sell them, like in Cherry Crush!! What do you guys think? Good idea?
Molly. x
It’s so horrible! While we’re reading Cathy Cassidy they’re all suffering! BOO HOO!
Your right say a prayer every night. Poor people.
Theres fear around every corner here in CHina.
You never know
I haven’t tried making paper cranes for a long time, but maybe i should do it for Japan
My school have a special box and we have been collecting money to split up for different charities. We are doing a cake sale next Thursday and I have a feeling we will collect tons of money. I made a paper crane last nght but I still need some practice! I feel so sorry for all the people who have been suffering in japan, everything is so sad. I really hope all the disasters stop and Japan can recover quickley. I am defenitley going to make some more paper cranes and send some pictures in, for both Japan and the 12 year old girl who died an unfortunate death. xxx
I’m so sorry about the whole situation. Will make paper cranes, and try 2 send pics in. I pray 4 Japan.. all my hope
Me and my friends have raised over £250 for Japan! Hopefully the money will help people! xxx
That’s a really good idea! It’s really sad about Japan, i saw it on the news 🙁
I can’t really make them but i can make fortune tellers and crowns. Maybe that’ll bring hope for those poor people in Japan? I’ll always be thinking of them x x x x x
I was really upset when I heard about Japan, we’re really lucky we live in a country where that sort of thing never happens and if it does we don’t even notice! I really want to help the people in Japan and think all of us together can make 1000 paper cranes!
Amy xx
May all our thoughts be with Japan at this time , what with people roaming the streets of Japan looking for a life that they cant have back . Our community our all helping to raise money for Japan to help people get their lives back and get poeple out of danger. I aim to make 30 cranes for Japan x