Generous donation enabled Yin to plant some of her earliest trees, sowing the seeds of a lasting friendship across continents
In 1999, Ronald Sakolsky, then teaching English in China, was inspired by Inner Mongolian farmer Yin Yuzhen’s battle against desertification and donated US$5,000 to support her tree-planting efforts in the Maowusu Desert.
This contribution enabled Yin to plant some of her earliest trees, sowing the seeds of a lasting friendship across continents.
Recently, the two reconnected through a transoceanic video call after decades apart.
Wearing a vibrant red headscarf, Yin shared with Sakolsky in English the line she had practised diligently: “You are my brother.”
She then extended an invitation in Chinese for him to visit China and witness the 50,000 trees that have thrived in the desert thanks to his generosity.
Sakolsky expressed his desire to plant a tree alongside hers and learned that Yin’s son has joined her in caring for the forest.
