Power of perseverance proven by US friend

Ronald Sakolsky, a retired teacher from the United States, returned to the home of China's afforestation hero, Yin Yuzhen, on Monday in Uxin Banner, Ordos, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, 26 years after his first visit, and found the once barren dunes transformed into a thriving forest — a living testament to perseverance that he believes must be passed on to younger generations.

Sakolsky walked through Yin's desert ecological garden, appreciated fresh vegetables and fruits grown in the sandy soil, and visited her new home, which was a far cry from the tiny shelter she had once shared with her family.

"From a one-bedroom sand shanty to this? You deserve every centimeter of this house," Sakolsky told Yin, gesturing toward her home.

Yin has spent decades battling desertification on this land. What was once a wasteland is now her life's work — a thriving oasis attracting visitors from around the world.

Over the course of 41 years, she and her family have planted 8 million trees, literally one shovel at a time, turning more than 4,660 hectares of desert into an oasis, Inner Mongolia TV reported.

But Sakolsky was no ordinary visitor. He was an old friend and, in a small but meaningful way, a part of this story.

Sakolsky made his first visit to this remote desert area in 2000.

Having spent two months in China at that time as a teacher on the China-US Teacher Exchange Program, Sakolsky was moved by a television report on Yin's struggle.

"I saw her story on TV and started to cry," said Sakolsky. "Something hit my heart."

Sakolsky went to Uxin Banner for the first time with Bai Fan, the former vice-principal at Luoyang Foreign Language School in Henan province, where Sakolsky worked as an English teacher from 1999 to 2000. He also performed an act of kindness by making a $5,000 donation to help Yin continue planting trees. "One act of kindness, no matter how small, never waste it," said Sakolsky.

Bai, who is now Party secretary and general principal of Luoyang No 2 Foreign Language School Education Group, again accompanied Sakolsky to the site of their shared memories. Bai reminisced about how things were different back then. "It was all sand," he said. "Now it looks like a big garden and orchard. It's stunning."

Sakolsky, now in his late 60s, reflected on the deeper meaning of the transformation. "I still believe… that this story was written in heaven and that I am just an actor in the play. And today is just another chapter."

"More people need to do more for China and America. Even a small amount can become a forest."

Speaking of US-China relations, Sakolsky struck a personal note. "All Americans need to realize that Chinese and Americans can be family. We can get over the differences if we focus on the similarities."

For Yin, the visit was a moment of quiet pride. She showed her guests the fruits of her labor and smiled as Sakolsky reiterated his long-held belief: "If you take care of the Earth, it will reward you."

Bai echoed that sentiment. "When Sakolsky and I came here, our dreams were simple — to see this land turn green. Now our dreams have come true."

As the afternoon sun cast long shadows, Sakolsky looked back at the land that once was sand. "Nothing but a miracle. She showed me that nothing is impossible as long as you want it."

Zhao Manfeng in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at wangsongsong@chinadaily.com.cn