A retired teacher from Plum, Pennsylvania, is being recognized in China for a donation he made in 1999 that helped transform a desert in Inner Mongolia into a thriving forest. A teacher’s lasting connection to ChinaRon Sakolsky, known as “Mr. S” to his students, taught at Plum Borough School District for 28 years, primarily teaching seventh-grade world history. In 1999, he was selected as one of 14 U.S. teachers to participate in a teaching exchange program in Luoyang, China. “China made me the person I am today. The Chinese taught me a tremendous amount,” Sakolsky said. “Within two months, they had already shown me that you appreciate the simple things in life, that you don’t have to have a fancy home or lots of money or a fancy car.” How the Sakolsky Forest beganDuring his year in China, Sakolsky saw a television segment about Yin Yuzhen and her husband, who were working to plant trees in a desert in Inner Mongolia to prevent sand from blowing into Beijing. Touched by their mission, Sakolsky secured a $5,000 donation through a Boston-based organization to support their efforts. “We’re standing in the middle of nothing, just sand,” Sakolsky said, recalling his visit to the site. “The idea was that the trees would keep the sand from blowing into the wind and literally traveling 100 kilometers to Beijing, and the sand would blow down the streets of Beijing.” The land where the trees were planted became known as the Sakolsky Forest. Over two decades later, the forest has grown to include 50,000 trees.A Viral reunion and return tripTwo months ago, Sakolsky began receiving emails and text messages after a video about his contribution went viral in China. Yin had taken to social media in hopes of reconnecting with him and inviting him back to China. “This is what’s amazing. There was nothing there when I was there,” Sakolsky said. The story gained widespread attention, even reaching Xie Feng, the Chinese ambassador to the United States. In June, Xie issued Sakolsky a 10-year visa to visit China. “The next thing I know, I get invited to Washington, D.C., as his guest of honor. What a thrill,” Sakolsky said. Yin, who has been practicing her English for their reunion, shared a message for Sakolsky: “Hello big brother, I saw you got your visa that day. I’m very happy.” Sakolsky plans to travel to China next month to see the forest and reunite with Yin. Reflecting on his contribution, he said, “All I wanted to do was thank China for what they had taught me and they made me a better person. I helped Miss Yin to beautify China. I just wanted to help. That’s all I did.”
PLUM, Pa. —
A retired teacher from Plum, Pennsylvania, is being recognized in China for a donation he made in 1999 that helped transform a desert in Inner Mongolia into a thriving forest.
A teacher’s lasting connection to China
Ron Sakolsky, known as “Mr. S” to his students, taught at Plum Borough School District for 28 years, primarily teaching seventh-grade world history. In 1999, he was selected as one of 14 U.S. teachers to participate in a teaching exchange program in Luoyang, China.
“China made me the person I am today. The Chinese taught me a tremendous amount,” Sakolsky said. “Within two months, they had already shown me that you appreciate the simple things in life, that you don’t have to have a fancy home or lots of money or a fancy car.”
How the Sakolsky Forest began
During his year in China, Sakolsky saw a television segment about Yin Yuzhen and her husband, who were working to plant trees in a desert in Inner Mongolia to prevent sand from blowing into Beijing. Touched by their mission, Sakolsky secured a $5,000 donation through a Boston-based organization to support their efforts.
“We’re standing in the middle of nothing, just sand,” Sakolsky said, recalling his visit to the site. “The idea was that the trees would keep the sand from blowing into the wind and literally traveling 100 kilometers to Beijing, and the sand would blow down the streets of Beijing.”
The land where the trees were planted became known as the Sakolsky Forest. Over two decades later, the forest has grown to include 50,000 trees.
Hearst OwnedMae Le and Li Jiaxin
A Viral reunion and return trip
Two months ago, Sakolsky began receiving emails and text messages after a video about his contribution went viral in China. Yin had taken to social media in hopes of reconnecting with him and inviting him back to China.
“This is what’s amazing. There was nothing there when I was there,” Sakolsky said.
The story gained widespread attention, even reaching Xie Feng, the Chinese ambassador to the United States. In June, Xie issued Sakolsky a 10-year visa to visit China.
Hearst OwnedChinese Embassy in U.S.
“The next thing I know, I get invited to Washington, D.C., as his guest of honor. What a thrill,” Sakolsky said.
Yin, who has been practicing her English for their reunion, shared a message for Sakolsky: “Hello big brother, I saw you got your visa that day. I’m very happy.”
Sakolsky plans to travel to China next month to see the forest and reunite with Yin. Reflecting on his contribution, he said, “All I wanted to do was thank China for what they had taught me and they made me a better person. I helped Miss Yin to beautify China. I just wanted to help. That’s all I did.”