Spring Time in Maryland and Cherry Trees

It is Spring time in Maryland and we also have Spring break at the school. So this week we do not have classes. This is also the time for the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. The banks of the river Potomac look so beautiful with the white Cherry flowers. I was learning about the history of these trees. They came from Japan. In 1912, the people of Japan gave Washington D.C many Cherry trees as a gift of their friendship. Starting with simple ceremony in 1912, the Cherry blooming time became a national festival. The celebration gives everyone to celebrate the culture, food, and music of Japan. So many people from so many different cultures come to see the blooming trees and experience a taste of Japan. When I was there, I learnt how to write the Japanese word flower on a paper using a paint-brush. I never thought of writing words like painting. It is so cool. I was also thinking about how little things in life can connect so many people around the world and make us do beautiful things. Even a tree can create a bond between all of us. That is so amazing.

On a different note, we kicked off the project with Childline, India. We sent the 1^st installment of funds. They will get back to us in about 8 weeks and with a list of children who suffered in the Mumbai attacks and need help. We will send the second installment of funds after that.

We also got a lot of help from our journalist friends and many others. Hindustan Times and Indian Express, leading newspapers in India, published articles about our effort. I would like to thank Ms. Alifiya Khan, from Hindustan Times and Ms. Kavita Iyer, from Indian Express, for their effort and help spreading the word. Here are the links to the articles:

Hindustan Times Article:

http://www.kidsformumbai.org/Hindustantimes-April-02-2009.pdf

Indian Express Article:

http://www.kidsformumbai.org/IndianExpress-April-07-2009.pdf

Priyanka