Rego Park School Folds 1,000 Origami Cranes For Japan

In Japanese culture, paper cranes represent hope and healing during challenging times. In this tradition, craftspeople set out “to reach a goal of folding 1,000 cranes in hopes of being rewarded with health, happiness, and a world of eternal peace” according to the American Japanese National Museum. According to the legend, building a thousand origami cranes will allow for one wish to come true. For P.S. 139 in Rego Park, that wish is for a speedy recovery in Japan.

While the Red Cross and other organizations have already set up myriad ways to donate to the people of Japan, PS139Q, a school with a largely Asian population, held a fundraiser this past Friday, April 8th. To raise funds and awareness, coordinator Suzuyo Furusho, decided to play on the Japanese legend of building 1,000 paper cranes.

Not all the students are old enough to fold origami cranes themselves. Some students get involved artictically in other ways. Another charity organizer, Susan Lee, thought that printing a picture of the origami crane would allow the younger children to get involved in their efforts. “The kindergarten-to-second graders aren’t able to make the origami cranes, so instead they draw and color the crane, because they want to be a part of [the relief effort] too.”

One parent who took part in the fundraiser was Rie Nishimura, whose family was in Japan during the tragic event. Nishimura said it took four days before she was able to get in contact with her in-laws.

“We had contact with them, but it took four days after the tsunami hit. We were very worried about the situation. And finally when we could reach them, they said they were OK. During the first week, they didn’t have any electricity and the water [had] completely stopped.”

Nishimura’s family was in the town of Ofunato Iwate when the tsunami hit. “Most of the town had washed away, but my husband's family were in a safe place, so they were lucky.”

Nishimura’s story is one of thousands who have been affected by the Japanese natural disaster. As for more relief efforts from P.S. 139, this is not going to be the last.

“We want them to have a speedy recovery in [everything], including the economy and land. It’s just devastating and not something that’s going to be fixed in a couple of months” said Lee. “We’re just starting this now, but we definitely want to do more. It’s a rebuilding process for them, and one little thing isn’t going to fix it.”