Anjouan, Comoros Islands

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0:00:22 > 0:00:23Off the coast of Mozambique

0:00:23 > 0:00:29is an island where traditions are upheld and fragrant flowers grow.

0:00:36 > 0:00:42Life on Anjouan is hard, but the drive to prosper is evident.

0:00:51 > 0:00:54If you're scared of heights, you might struggle here.

0:00:54 > 0:00:58It's a volcanic island where mountains tower above you.

0:00:58 > 0:01:00The landscape is breathtaking.

0:01:10 > 0:01:12And hidden in these spectacular hills,

0:01:12 > 0:01:15a precious and prized commodity...

0:01:16 > 0:01:18..the ylang-ylang flower.

0:01:21 > 0:01:25A key ingredient in the world's most luxurious perfumes,

0:01:25 > 0:01:28Anjouan is the world's top producer

0:01:28 > 0:01:32and these women pick up to 40kg every day.

0:01:35 > 0:01:38Echa started out as a flower picker.

0:01:38 > 0:01:41Today, she runs her own plantation.

0:01:41 > 0:01:44- TRANSLATION:- We planted ylang-ylang and other crops

0:01:44 > 0:01:48but it's ylang-ylang that still generates an income today.

0:01:48 > 0:01:50I worked in the fields picking flowers

0:01:50 > 0:01:53and eventually made enough money to buy the land.

0:01:53 > 0:01:57Working ylang-ylang is very difficult in every way.

0:01:57 > 0:02:00And it comes at a cost, too.

0:02:00 > 0:02:04Trees are chopped down to fuel the 350 distilleries.

0:02:04 > 0:02:08Production continues all year round.

0:02:13 > 0:02:17The challenges of life on Anjouan encourage young people to

0:02:17 > 0:02:19strive for something better.

0:02:21 > 0:02:25Jemaldin's big brother left Anjouan three years ago.

0:02:25 > 0:02:27They haven't seen each other since

0:02:27 > 0:02:30and they only speak every three months.

0:02:30 > 0:02:34It seems like virtually every family here has a story

0:02:34 > 0:02:37of a loved one who's moved to a neighbouring island.

0:02:43 > 0:02:48Jemaldin's brother lives 40 miles away on the more prosperous

0:02:48 > 0:02:49island of Mayotte.

0:02:50 > 0:02:52As a French colony,

0:02:52 > 0:02:58it provides more jobs as well as free healthcare and education -

0:02:58 > 0:03:01opportunities that Anjouan can't offer.

0:03:03 > 0:03:08Ousmani is here illegally but is willing to take his chances.

0:03:11 > 0:03:13- TRANSLATION:- Here, you can make things happen.

0:03:13 > 0:03:15Everything is possible.

0:03:15 > 0:03:18I've decided to do DIY so that I can make some money.

0:03:18 > 0:03:22Many prefer to live in Mayotte because of the strength of the euro.

0:03:22 > 0:03:26If I can't start a business here, I will do everything I can

0:03:26 > 0:03:29to start a business in Anjouan and live there with my friends.

0:03:39 > 0:03:44Back in Anjouan, the population is young and growing rapidly.

0:03:55 > 0:03:58This new generation will have to decide

0:03:58 > 0:04:02whether to leave or keep Anjouan as their home.