The Struggle for Sand: Journey of a Sierra Leonean Driver

🚚Transporting sand in Sierra Leone is a challenging and labor-intensive job, with drivers facing difficult road conditions and extreme weather.

💰The demand for sand in Sierra Leone has risen due to construction projects, leading to rising prices and profitability for drivers.

🌊The extraction of sand from beaches in Sierra Leone has led to erosion and the loss of natural resources, affecting the local community.

🚧Sierra Leone is undergoing reconstruction after years of civil war and the Ebola epidemic, and sand plays a vital role in the rebuilding process.

🦁Sierra Leoneans demonstrate resilience and determination in the face of adversity, embodying the spirit of the country's emblem, the lion.

Why is sand extraction such a challenging job in Sierra Leone?

—Sand extraction in Sierra Leone is challenging due to difficult road conditions, extreme weather, and the heavy physical labor involved in loading and transporting the sand.

What is the impact of sand extraction on the local community?

—The extraction of sand from beaches in Sierra Leone has led to erosion, affecting the local community and their access to natural resources.

Why is there a high demand for sand in Sierra Leone?

—Sierra Leone is undergoing reconstruction after years of civil war and the Ebola epidemic, leading to a high demand for sand in construction projects.

How does the sand extraction industry contribute to the country's recovery?

—The sand extraction industry plays a vital role in Sierra Leone's recovery by providing employment opportunities and supplying sand for construction projects.

What challenges do drivers face in transporting sand?

—Drivers in Sierra Leone face challenges such as difficult road conditions, extreme weather, and the risk of vehicle breakdowns during the transportation of sand.

00:45Meet Theo, a driver in Sierra Leone.

01:06Hundreds of trucks head to John Obey Beach in Sierra Leone to gather sand.

02:30John Obey Beach is a small paradise that is now vanishing due to sand extraction.

05:08Sierra Leonean construction workers rely on beaches as their only source of sand.

08:21Theo's truck faces challenges as he transports sand.

12:27The impact of the civil war and conflict diamonds on Sierra Leone's history.

18:31Theo faces another obstacle during his journey.

22:39Sierra Leone's demand for sand in the rebuilding process.