‘Green miracle’: US teacher returns to China after 26 years to find donation grew into forest
A retired American teacher has reunited with a Chinese farmer 26 years after their initial encounter, returning to the once-barren sandy landscape transformed by his generous donation into a lush green environment. In 1999, Ronald Sakolsky, now 67, was teaching English in Luoyang, Henan province, central-eastern China, when he discovered Inner Mongolian farmer Yin Yuzhen’s efforts to combat…
In 1999, retired American teacher Ronald Sakolsky, now 67, was teaching English in Luoyang, Henan province, when he learned about Inner Mongolian farmer Yin Yuzhen’s efforts to fight desertification. Impressed by her commitment, Sakolsky donated US$5,000 to support her cause. Their paths crossed in 2000 during a donation ceremony in the Mu Us Desert. Afterward, Sakolsky returned to the US, while Yin utilized the donation to plant over 50,000 trees. Today, more than 80% of the Mu Us Desert is covered in vegetation.
In May, Yin and Sakolsky unexpectedly reunited via video call, where Yin invited him back to China to witness the "green miracle" she had helped create. They met on August 23 at Ordos Airport. Yin's presence was emotional, with tears that she described as "sweet." Sakolsky expressed his gratitude, acknowledging the miracle of their long-awaited reunion.
Upon their arrival, they explored the city and visited Yin’s transformed home. Sakolsky was particularly impressed by the abundance of fruits and vegetables grown in the desert. He visited her home, noting the significant change from the simple mud-brick dwelling of years ago.
Yin, despite her dedication to the forest, admitted that her intense focus on tree planting had sometimes strained her relationships. She had spent decades nurturing the trees, driven by her belief that she would "rather die planting trees than be defeated by the sand." This dedication consumed much of her life, even leaving her uncertain of her grandchild’s age.
Sakolsky views Yin as the driving force behind the green transformation. He noted that the US$5,000 she received 26 years ago was equivalent to about 20 years of income for a Chinese farmer. Initially unaware of his environmental impact, Sakolsky's perspective shifted after meeting Yin. "We only have one Earth. If we don’t take care of her, she won’t take care of us," he emphasized.
The pair shared a deep connection beyond language, bonding over their love for animals, as evidenced by the photographs they kept in their phones. Yin gifted Sakolsky a cross-stitch piece and insoles embroidered with roses and blessings. His trip to China also included a visit to Luoyang, where he was warmly greeted by locals. Their story of friendship and environmental stewardship resonated with the public, as videos of their reunion garnered over 120 million views on mainland social media within days.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
