"Chinese and Americans can be family," said Ronald Sakolsky.

Over two decades ago, American Ronald Sakolsky donated $5,000 to Yin Yuzhen, a Chinese woman fighting the sands of the Maowusu sandy area.

- His donation helped her plant more than 50,000 trees.

- The trees grew, the desert retreated — and the two lost touch.

This year, Yin found Ronald thousands of miles away by posting a video online. And this time, Ronald came back to China.

·In 1985, Yin and her husband lived in a cave-like dwelling half-buried in sand. Then came a brick house. Today, she lives in a two-story home.

·Over the decades, Yin and her husband have helped restore some 70,000 mu (4,667 hectares) of desertified land.

·Across the Maowusu sandy area, more than 80 percent of the desertified land has now been brought under control.

This time, Ronald and Yin planted a tree together. Some of the most meaningful things in life take time to grow. This is a story about two people. But it is also a story about a bridge between two countries.