1) remember the atomic bombs that landed on hiroshima and nagasaki (is the name correct?) during world war two? yes, there was this little girl in japan and she suffered from the side effects of the radiation. she wanted to fold a thousand paper cranes for those also suffering from the radiation to get better. alas, she died before she could complete her quest. but her legacy still lives on and till today, the japanese still fold a thousand cranes for those who are sick.
2)during my youth expedition project, the muslim militants bombed the schools. it happened just one day before we visited huay khom school. prior to that, it was often featured in the newspaper but it never seemed realistic enough because it was far from home and far from our hearts. anyway, the thai government then appealed to the people to fold millions and millions of cranes to beg for peace in the region. the village kids really started folding cranes. i saw ale, atu, aba and one of their friends squatting by the candlelight, folding cranes in semi-darkness, leaning intently towards the candlelight just to borrow its glow. i folded because i wanted to see the villagers safe from all harm. to see the kids grow up. to see the hilltribe people advocate for their rights in the thai society. to have peace in the region. didn't know that it was such a dua dai ji until i came back to singapore and read the news. it was the headlines. the government airplanes/helicopters scattered a few million cranes over the southern region to signify desperation for peace. alas, it didn't work and till today, the fighting goes on.
3) even back in singapore, the song he xiang mi company came up with this scheme that for every crane you fold, you will donate a bowl of rice to one of their five beneficiaries. i remember our yep peepz gathering early in the morning before school to fold cranes, because cranes fold a special place in our hearts. and it's gonna happen for famine camp too. :)
4) because someone used to fold cranes for me.
thus, everytime i fold a crane, i'm reminded of God's unconditional love. everytime i fold a crane, i'm reminded of how blessed i am. i remember the struggles and the hope people profess for the peace that is seemingly impossible to grasp. i'm reminded of the inner stability and peace we singaporeans take for granted. the luxuries that have long become a necessity. everytime i fold a crane, i feel God's presence blanket the world, the world He created for you and me.
me.
ah^ya
child of God
25th september 1987
18-going-19
hougang kindergarten
st. hilda's primary school
tanjong katong girls' school
victoria junior college
soon-to-be university college london :)
