We learn of symbiosis in biology. The term symbiosis describes 2 living organisms complementing and helping each other to make up what is lacking in the other. According to BBC News, two physically challenged childhood friends in a small village of Yeli in Norteastern China have struck a symbiotic collaboration to transform an entire landscape near their village by planting multitude of trees and preventing their surroundings from being flooded by soil erosion. And they did this without getting any help from anyone or the aid of modern machinery.
Jia Haxia, 54 was born blind in his left eye and an industrial accident took away his other eye. His friend, Jia Wenqi, 53 is a double amputee with both arms missing. By striking a symbiotic union, Wenqi became Haxia’s vision and vice versa. Haxia provided the labor with the full use of his arm.
“I am his hands, he is my eyes,” says Haixia. “We are good partners.”
The 2 friends trekked daily to plant the trees and the journey involved crossing a stream where Wenqi would lead the way in the front and when they reached the stream, Haxia would climbed onto his back in order to cross the river. Once they reached the site where the trees were being planted, Haxia will do the planting while Wenqi will provide guidance with his vision. The total number of trees planted by the duo is estimated at ten thousand healthy trees, but three thousand more have died.
BBC reported that they have been doing this for more than 10 years and have been reaping yields from the trees they planted by selling it and making money without being financially dependent on their families, while at the same time preventing their village from being flooded by soil erosion.
The story is like a parable of human triumph from adversity, while embracing an enterprising spirit and ingenuity despite adverse circumstances!
