15/06/2026
When toxic waste from a chemical company polluted his village and farmland in 2001, Chinese farmer Wang Enlin decided he would fight for justice.
The problem was that Wang had only three years of formal education and knew very little about the law. Instead of giving up, he began teaching himself. Using a dictionary, he read legal books and spent years copying notes by hand because he could not afford to buy the books. Sometimes, he even traded corn to gain access to them.
For 16 years, Wang studied environmental and land laws while helping educate his neighbors about their rights.
Eventually, lawyers from a legal aid center joined the case and helped Wang and other villagers file a lawsuit against the chemical company they blamed for contaminating their land.
After years of effort, the villagers won an initial court ruling and were awarded compensation. Although the company appealed the decision, Wang remained determined to continue the fight.
His story became an inspiring example of perseverance, showing how one farmer's determination and self-education helped him stand up against a powerful company.
Source: EcoWatch - Farmer Studies Law for 16 Years to Sue Chemical Company for Polluting His Land