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‘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…

By Samantha Johnson / August 30, 2026

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: Sina
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: Sina

In 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.

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