LAST year Pawlett WI’s president Ann Gibbs visited the Peace Park in Hiroshima while on holiday in Japan.
She learned of the story of Sadako Sasaki, who was two-years-old when the atomic bomb was dropped on the city in 1945.
As a result of the radiation in the aftermath, Sadako developed leukaemia at the age of 11. In Japan, cranes are a symbol of good fortune and longevity. There is a legend if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, you will be granted a wish.
In hospital, Sadako began to fold origami cranes using the paper in which her medication had been wrapped.
Sadly she died at the of 12, but her story lives on and the origami cranes have become a symbol of peace.
On Ann’s return from Japan, she gave a talk at Pawlett WI and demonstrated how to make the paper cranes.
Between them the group have now made 1,000 which have been posted to Hiroshima Peace Park with a message of goodwill.
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