He will donate the money to the Chinese
Consulate General, who will use it to give money to the victims of the
earthquake.
“Since the earthquake lots of people have been very concerned about
those affected in China and have reacted to the call from the victims
and the Chinese Government to help. Every time we watched the news or
read the newspapers our heart went out to them,”
she says.
Marlene says the idea originally comes from a Japanese legend,
where 1000 paper cranes are made for those in need. The theory is that
if you make 1000 cranes your best wishes can come true.
This idea has been adopted all over the world and has become known
as a symbol of peace. Marlene says the Chinese Government is trying to
rescue as many people as possible and is appealing to the rest of the
world.
“They are inviting compassion and love from everybody, whether they are Chinese or not,” she says.
So far students and staff have made over 400 origami cranes to send to China.
AUT Business student and Chinese Students Association Committee
member Wei He says the paper cranes are about sending love to those who
have lost their family members.
“We really would like to call out, not only to Chinese people, but
to Kiwi people and AUT staff to show we care about the people who are
really in need at this moment,” she says.
Marlene says making a paper crane is a small gesture that can make a difference.
“It’s important because when you are making the cranes you are collecting money for the victims,” Marlene says.
The earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, has claimed
over 74,000 lives so far. Many more are injured. The earthquake is the
worst to strike China in three decades.
If you would like to make an origami paper crane, drop into the AUT
Chinese Centre in WB 406 or contact Chinese Students Advisor Marlene
Lu:
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Coloured paper is available.
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