District News

Canajoharie students create paper cranes for Japan relief 

 

April, 2011

An old Japanese legend says that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by the crane.

The students at Canajoharie High School along with Japanese foreign exchange student Mei Yamagishi have already created more than 1,100 origami paper cranes. Their wish: that the people of Japan receive the help they need.

Art teacher Kathy Van Loan sent the cranes to the Bezos Foundation who is donating $2 for every crane received, up to $200,000. The money will go to Architecture for Humanity to help rebuild Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March. After 100,000 cranes are submitted, they will be turned into a woven art installation.

“I found out about this project and I wanted to help in any way I could. The students know about what happened in Japan, and it hits especially close to home because we have a student here from Japan,” Mrs. Van Loan said. “Kids I don’t even know have come in to help and fold the cranes. It’s so impressive because teens from all over the U.S. are doing this.

“Mei has also been a great ambassador for Japan. She’s learned a lot about America and she has taught the students a lot as well. She’s helped them all learn how to fold the cranes.”

Mei, a native of Otaru, Japan, said none of her family or friends in Japan were hurt, but she constantly monitors the news and sends letters back home. She learned about origami in elementary school because it’s a tradition, she said, and students usually do it for fun. She said it feels great to use it to help people in Japan.

“I’m so impressed that so many kids here have helped,” she said. “I thought Mrs. Van Loan had a great idea.”

Canajoharie Superintendent Richard Rose said he’s proud of the initiative his staff and students have taken.

“We have extremely talented and dedicated students here and I’m not surprised that they are taking a global issue and deciding to help out,” he said. “This shows civic responsibility and a true desire to be a part of the global community.”