The sixth graders at St. Mary’s are racing to fold 1,000 paper cranes before their trip to Hiroshima on March 27th-28th, led by Mr. Southall. Inspired by Sadako Sasaki, the girl who folded over 1,000 cranes while battling leukemia caused by atomic bomb radiation, the project is a symbol of peace and a call to prevent future nuclear bombings.
The project started in the academic year 2022-23 and is now in its third year. It was initiated when the trip to Hiroshima was moved, as a response to COVID-19, from its regular early December timing to late March. This gave the students enough time to make 1,000 cranes to be ready in time to take to Hiroshima.
So far, they’ve folded over 900 cranes, with 750 already displayed near the entranceway. Students have been working together in class and at home, carefully folding each crane to help reach their goal. Their dedication and teamwork have brought them closer to completing the challenge, with each crane carrying a message of hope and remembrance.
Beyond the challenge, the project is teaching students about collaboration and the importance of peace. When the students visit the Children’s Peace Monument, they’ll add their cranes to thousands of others from around the world. A statue of Sadako stands in the Peace Memorial Park, her hands stretched upwards holding a crane above her head, a lasting impression of her story and the wish for a world without nuclear weapons and war.
The project is currently only being carried out at St. Mary’s International School, “but it is hoped that other schools will also routinely make 1,000 cranes as a way of expressing their wish for peace in our world” Mr. Southhall stated.
With under 80 cranes left, the countdown is on. For more information about the project and
Sadako Sasaki’s story, visit the display cabinet near the entrance, where a tablet provides further details.
