Chapter 981 Those who plant trees will enjoy the shade
It is no exaggeration to say that Mauritania's medical industry is basically supported by the Chinese.
Since 1968, China has provided medical assistance to Mauritania. To date, at least 32 batches of medical personnel have been sent here to provide medical assistance. A large number of medical facilities, including the current Kiffa Hospital, the National Institute of Public Health, the Friendship Hospital, the China-Mauritania Ophthalmology Cooperation Center, and the Nouakchott University Hospital, were built and supervised by China.
But those things happen in big cities like Nouakchott—there are only three cities, really. The rest are small villages. Villages like Mohand, with nearly a thousand people, are definitely one of the largest in Mauritania! But no one wants to come here and be blown by the sand every day. Occasionally, international medical organizations come to inspect the area, and if they come once a year on average, that's pretty good.
Why are people here so physically fit? Because it's hard to handle! Deaths from fever, infection, and the like are incredibly common here!
"Mohand, you've given me a pretty big problem," Xiao Peng said frankly. "99% of people in this world study hard to become doctors in order to change their lives. Perhaps only 1% of them have such a broad mind to support Africa. With all due respect, even living in Nouakchott, the capital, would be suffering for many of us Chinese. And what about here? How could they possibly come here if they don't get good treatment and a good living environment? If your son were a doctor, would you let him practice here or in a city like Nouakchott?"
As a result, Mohand's expression suddenly became awkward and he remained silent.
Xiao Peng came back to his senses: "You don't really have a son, do you? Your son is not really a doctor, is he? Your son is not really a doctor in Nouakchott, is he?"
His 'three consecutive questions' made Mohand helpless, and he finally nodded.
"Hey!" Xiao Peng laughed angrily. "Mohande, you know to let your own sons go to the big city to enjoy life, but you want other people's sons and daughters to suffer here?"
Mohande sighed deeply. "People are selfish. My son has his own ideas. Your Chinese doctors have been helping our country. Could you please contact them and ask them for us?"
Xiao Peng thought for a moment and said, "I can't guarantee that I can help you find a doctor here."
Mohande sighed after hearing this, and Xiao Peng continued, "But I may have another way to help you."
"Hmm?" Mohande's face lit up when he heard it: "Xiao, go ahead."
Xiao Peng asked in return, "Do you know the 'Great Green Wall Project'?"
Mohand's expression turned grim after hearing this: "Of course I know! Those politicians approached us, damn it, they just wanted to take over our land! We refused!"
"WHAT?" Xiao Peng's eyes widened after hearing this: "Occupy land?"
Mohand said, "Yes! They want to plant plants on our land. These lands are ours! Who will own these lands after they plant the plants? Besides, this reason is too childish. We were born here, grew up here, and will be buried here after we die. How can we possibly plant plants on a large scale here?"
Xiao Peng covered his face with his hands. "Mohande, you underestimate the Chinese people's talent for planting! I'm not exaggerating, no country on the entire planet has more experience in desert control than China. In our country, the Kubuqi Desert, the Maowusu Desert, and the Saihanba Desert will probably no longer exist in ten or twenty years!"
"Chinese?" Mohande was stunned: "What does this have to do with Chinese people?"
Xiao Peng said helplessly, "The main technical management of the 'Green Great Wall Project' is done by Chinese people, who guide the locals in carrying out the work. You are the ones doing the work, so who is taking your land?"
"Is that so?" Mohand was skeptical after hearing this.
Xiao Peng said, "Of course, if you launch this project here, Chinese instructors will come to work, and they will definitely bring medical staff with them, right? This can be considered as a disguised solution to your problem of doctors. And after you improve the greening here, the lives of the people will definitely change dramatically... You are already a large tribe, and then more people will come to live here! Of course, it may also cause tribal conflict, but if you can handle this problem well, I will believe it if you or your son becomes the president of Mauritania in the future."
Xiao Peng wasn't flattering them. The people of Mauritania were deeply affected by desertification, and the situation was getting worse due to overgrazing. If desertification could be effectively controlled, the impact on Mauritania would be profound.
While Mauritania is currently implementing a "Great Green Wall" that appears to be quite effective, it's primarily focused on the outskirts of the capital, Nouakchott, to prevent desert intrusion into the city. Inland herders are largely neglected, and they are the most affected by desertification.
They are now caught in a vicious cycle: the poorer they are, the more livestock they raise, and the more livestock they raise, the worse the desertification problem becomes. The worse the desertification becomes, the higher the cost of living becomes. The higher the cost of living becomes, the poorer they become, and the more livestock they need to raise...
Mohand explained Xiao Peng's intentions to Abdul. Abdul listened, nodded, and then said a few words.
"My father's question," Mohand translated, "is whether this greening project can be completed in one year?"
"Puff!" Xiao Peng sprayed out the mint green tea in his mouth.
"A year? Are you kidding?" Xiao Peng pointed at the sandy ground at the entrance and said, "Sandy soil can't retain water, so it's not suitable for growing plants. To control sand, the first thing we need to do is to make the sand 'crust' solid. This process is very long, probably ten or even more than ten years. Even we in China, who have the most experience in sand control and the most advanced biological soil crusting technology, need about three years! However, we are accelerating the biological soil crusting by planting legumes and compositae plants such as Caragana korshinskii, Calligonum mongolica, and Sand Bark. This is also a greening process. If your people can work hard and protect the results, I predict results in five years. In ten years, your lives will be greatly changed. In twenty years, this place will become a new oasis."
After Xiao Peng finished speaking, he continued to drink his mint green tea and watched the father and son discuss.
Desertification control is always a long-term project. It is not something that can be achieved by sowing seeds today and then being cured tomorrow. It requires a long-term process.
Not everyone is willing to do things like "plant trees for the benefit of future generations" like the Chinese people.
The awareness is still not high enough!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
