‘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 desertification. Inspired by her dedication, he donated US$5,000 to support her mission.The pair first met during a donation ceremony in the Mu Us Desert in 2000. Afterwards, Sakolsky returned to the US, while Yin used the funds to plant over 50,000 trees.Today, vegetation covers more than 80 per cent of the Mu Us Desert, which is one of China’s four major sandy regions.Thanks to Sakolsky’s contribution and Yin’s tireless dedication, today, over 80 per cent of the Mu Us Desert — a major sandy region in China — is now covered in vegetation. Photo: SinaIn May, Yin, now 60, reconnected with Sakolsky via video call and invited him back to China to witness the “green miracle” that his contribution had helped foster.Their long-anticipated reunion took place at Ordos Airport on August 23. Yin, with her signature long braid, broke down in tears as she embraced Sakolsky. She later recalled the tears “tasted sweet,” while Sakolsky expressed his gratitude to her and her husband, tears streaming down his own face.“I never thought I would see you again. That in itself is a miracle,” Sakolsky remarked. “It also shows that people from different cultures can keep their promises.”That evening, they explored the city and paused at a musical fountain as “See You Again” played in the background. After singing along, Sakolsky joyfully declared in Chinese: “I am back.”On August 23, Yin Yuzhen was reunited with Ronald Sakolsky at an airport in Ordos, located in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Their remarkable story garnered attention not only in China but across the globe. Photo: Xinhua/Lian ZhenThe following day, he admired the fruits and vegetables Yin had cultivated in the desert and visited her home, which had transformed tremendously since the humble mud-brick dwelling of decades before.“If you take care of the Earth, the Earth will reward you,” he observed, adding that after more than four decades of battling the desert, Yin “deserves the very best.”Together, they walked hand in hand into the government-designated “Sakolsky Forest,” where he embraced the trees and planted a friendship tree alongside Yin.