KarunaNews Story

Thirteen year-old Hime Takimoto began buying materials to make face masks in late February. In her free time, as her school closed due to the novel coronavirus, she began spending up to five hours a day sewing the masks. On top of that, she added a little reminder note to each one: "Wash your hands and gargle diligently." Spending 80,000 yen (more than $700 US) of her own money for materials, she sewed 612 masks, giving them to the government headquarters in Kofu on March 17. The masks are scheduled to be distributed to facilities in need, including homes for the elderly, as well as orphaned or neglected children.