Some 65 medical and administrative staff at Aravind Eye Hospital in Puducherry, India came together during #GlobalWeekOfInclusion to create a total of 1080 origami cranes as part of the #1000CranesForInclusion project, to send a message of hope and inclusion for people with disabilities. The staff started bright and early at 6am, and took over four hours to complete the task.
Together, the cranes formed the message, “Distanced by Covid-19, yet united by hope.”
“To me, the cranes symbolise a picture of peace, happiness, contentment and comfort. So what better symbol than a crane to show the world that we are all comfortable in our space, and that we want to include everyone in this common space,” says Area Director of Puducherry Dr Chitra Shah, who was instrumental in galvanising the hospital staff to get involved.
“As people working with the visually impaired, we empathise with the plight of people with intellectual disabilities – the limitations and exclusion they face in their everyday lives are very similar. People with disabilities are often not accepted in society,” says Dr Smita, one of the medical staff who volunteered for the project. “It is important for us to send a message of hope that everyone is included regardless of their ability or appearance. At Aravind Eye Hospital, we take this oath very seriously. The vision is to create a world where social inclusion is a reality for everyone.”
Donate to the #1000CranesForInclusion movement here.