Members from Steveston Buddhist Temple spent the last three weeks making 1,000 origami cranes to present to the healthcare workers and their patients at Richmond Hospital in a show of appreciation.
But after all that work, Keiko Go, secretary of Steveston Buddhist Temple, learned that the Richmond Hospital can’t accept them right now because of new protocols put in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
It’s disappointing, said Go, because members from the temple are desperate to thank and give hope to the doctors, nurses and patients in the hospital for all the hard work they do every day and night.
But although the 1,000 cranes cannot be physically delivered to the healthcare workers, Go and others will take photos and share them on social media, along with positive messages.
The actual paper cranes will be given to the hospital staff when it’s safe to do so.
Paper cranes symbolize hope and recovery in Japanese culture, explained Go. An ancient Japanese legend tells that the gods will grant a wish to someone who folds a thousand origami cranes.
“Healthcare workers have been working so hard and risking their lives to battle the deadly virus since last year. We were used to applause at 7 p.m. to pay tribute to them, but the tradition slowly faded. We can’t tolerate just watching. We want to showcase the Canadian spirit that we are all in this together,” said Go, adding that they have put so much love into each crane.
“We want to support both physically and emotionally. We live in the same community and we can help each other,” added Go.
