by Xinhua writers Gao Jingyan, Diao Ze, Ren Yaoting
ROME, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Scanning the crowd at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters, Yin Yuzhen pointed to her American friend Ronald Sakolsky. Sakolsky was then invited onto the stage, and the two embraced tightly as a wave of applause reverberated across the plenary hall.
Just moments earlier, Yin was awarded a crystal trophy honoring her as one of the FAO's 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development. Standing right by her side, Sakolsky clasped his hands together, clearly moved, before they both lifted the award to face the applauding assembly.
Their friendship began 27 years ago, when Sakolsky, then in China on a teaching exchange, raised 5,000 U.S. dollars to support Yin's tree-planting efforts. Neither could have imagined the emotional reunion that awaited them decades later.
Yin was the final honoree announced at Thursday's ceremony. The Chinese farmer has spent more than four decades combating desertification in the Maowusu Sandy Land in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, helping transform the once-barren landscape into a green expanse.
A short video played on the large screen, showing Yin planting trees, as well as footage of the two friends when they were young, and their reunion in China in August. As the images unfolded, both were moved to tears.
Taking the microphone on stage, Sakolsky struggled to speak, his voice faltering several times with emotion.
"She planted many seeds, and only a few lived at first. She didn't quit. She planted more seeds, and a few more lived," he recalled Yin's determination in the early years of her work.
Wiping his eyes, he added, "Today, our story planted a seed for everyone here."
When it was Yin's turn to speak, she was just as moved, struggling to choke back tears as she addressed the crowd.
"Sakolsky, whom I regard as an elder brother, and we had not seen each other for 26 years. I never thought that just over two months later, we would meet again here," she said, thanking Sakolsky for helping her green the desert.
Earlier in the morning, the two friends had visited the rooftop garden of FAO headquarters. Beneath an olive tree, Yin bent down to pick up several fallen black olives and examined them carefully in her palm. A reflection of her four decades of afforestation work, her observant eye naturally gravitated toward the surrounding greenery wherever she traveled.
Three crape myrtles were planted in the garden that morning, including one by Yin, who carefully wrote her name and the date on its trunk.
"This honor belongs not only to me, but also to the many kind-hearted people who have helped me in the Maowusu Sandy Land, and to countless others," Yin said. ■