(ECNS) -- Retired U.S. teacher Ronald Sakolsky, who once donated $5,000 to support China's desertification control efforts 26 years ago, reunited on Sunday with his Chinese friend Yin Yuzhen, a desertification fighter in Ordos, Inner Mongolia.
Their story began in 1999, when Sakolsky taught English at a school in Henan Province under a teacher exchange program between the two countries. After watching a television news report about Yin's tireless work, he was deeply moved and raised the $5,000 to help Yin and her husband in their afforestation campaign. Yin spent almost all the money on buying more saplings, keeping just one dollar bill as a souvenir.
Today, the slender saplings have grown into a vast forest.
Yin gained national attention in May when she issued a public search for Sakolsky, which ended successfully.
On the day of the reunion, Yin chose a green coat and arrived early at Ordos Ejin Horo International Airport. "I plant trees, and the earth is green," she said. The red scarf draped around her neck was the same one she had worn during her early days of planting trees in the desert, although it had been washed over and over again.
She had practiced three English phrases: "Welcome to China," "my brother," and "more, more," her way of saying "Please eat more" to show hospitality.
But when they finally met, she couldn't utter a single word.
As Sakolsky came down the escalator, he kept wiping tears from his eyes. Yin hurried forward and held out her arms. The two held each other tightly, tears welling in their eyes.
"This is a dream come true," said Sakolsky. "She made a promise 27 years ago and kept her promise. I never thought I would see her again. It is a miracle, but it shows culture and people can still keep promises."
He praised Yin as an extraordinary woman who has made great contributions to China.
He mentioned that he had intended to take a tree home to the United States, but was prohibited by law — which drew laughter from the tearful onlookers. Yet he was determined to bring back some sand home with him, saying in all seriousness that if necessary, he would pack it in his shoes.
Invited by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), his itinerary from Aug. 23 to Sept. 1 will also include China-U.S. teacher exchange events, a visit to Henan to meet with teachers and students at the school where he worked, a visit to the press briefing hall of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and visits to historical and cultural landmarks.
Official figures show that China has contributed about one-quarter of the world's increase in green vegetation and rehabilitated 152 million mu (about 10.13 million hectares) of desertified land between 2021 and 2025.
(By Zhang Dongfang)
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