A group of Kelowna students are hoping they can grant a wish to the earthquake victims in Japan.
Students in the Japanese language class at Rutland Secondary School are folding 1,000 paper cranes to raise $1,000 for earthquake relief.
Japanese legend states that anyone who folds 1,000 cranes will be granted a wish.
Japanese language teacher Elizabeth Baerg says her students, many of whom have gone on exchange to Japan or have hosted Japanese students, felt compelled to fundraise after seeing the devastation from last Friday’s 8.9 magnitude earthquake.
But Baerg says her students are sending more than just money.
“They really want to show their support and encouragement,” Baerg said. “They feel that folding the crane is such a symbol of hope for the Japanese people that they’re trying to send that symbol of hope to Japan.”
Several students say their love for Japan and the Japanese culture inspired them to get involved.
“I’ve spent my whole life studying Japan,” said student and event organizer Miranda Wertman. “I love the language. I love the culture. I just want to do my part.”
“I just love Japanese,” said student Jadanna Culbertson. “Seeing as how I’m in the Japanese class, it just gives me all the more purpose to come and help.”
Students have so far folded approximately 700 cranes and have raised around $400.
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