0:00:20 > 0:00:25With its rich, tropical landscape, Buru is a far-flung island
0:00:25 > 0:00:28hidden within Indonesia's immense Archipelago.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48The islanders have traditionally survived off the land
0:00:48 > 0:00:51on eucalyptus farms and paddy fields.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Four years ago, everything changed.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56According to local legend, a woman
0:00:56 > 0:01:00dreamt that there was something precious hidden in these mountains.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03She immediately began searching this vast landscape,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06and, amazingly, found what she was looking for.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Word quickly spread, and thousands followed her to Mount Botak
0:01:09 > 0:01:12lured by this life-changing discovery.
0:01:17 > 0:01:22Buru was laden with the most precious resource of them all...
0:01:22 > 0:01:24gold.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29The hillsides were pulled apart and the digging began.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33There are workers digging down this mineshaft
0:01:33 > 0:01:35right now, 40 metres below the surface.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38They'll be in there for 12 hours, in the dark.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42There are environmental and safety concerns,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45but the desire for riches is simply too great.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Mahani was once a eucalyptus farmer, working for just six dollars a day.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57As a gold-digger she earns five times that.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02- TRANSLATION:- The gold is a gift from God to the people here in Buru.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04It changed people's lives.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Some can afford to buy a car.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Some can renovate their houses.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11It's dangerous, but people fight for a better life.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18At schools across Buru it's a lively start to the day.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21LIVELY MUSIC
0:02:22 > 0:02:26The island's new-found wealth has meant more children can
0:02:26 > 0:02:28buy books and clothes.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31More of these pupils can afford high school too.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36They say they'd like to be doctors, teachers and policeman.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38SCHOOLCHILDREN: Hi!
0:02:38 > 0:02:42For some families, daily life hasn't changed at all.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44They are just telling me it takes an hour to get home.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46They need to cross a river, climb a hill
0:02:46 > 0:02:49and then take a boat all by themselves.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Nine-year-olds Seiko and Algin live on their own island.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01This rickety commune is run by their guardian,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Mama Ronja.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05She came here from another island
0:03:05 > 0:03:07and belongs to the Bajo tribe.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11They are well known for living in houses on stilts.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Mama Ronja's been here for 30 years.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- TRANSLATION:- I would love to go to Jakarta to see
0:03:17 > 0:03:18the lights in the city.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22They say there are trains there, and I've never seen a train.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27But it is just a dream. I want a different life for the kids.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29They should be whatever they want to be,
0:03:29 > 0:03:30finish university,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33maybe even become president!
0:03:40 > 0:03:44160,000 Indonesians live here
0:03:44 > 0:03:46and it feels like almost everyone hopes to
0:03:46 > 0:03:49make their fortune in these hills of gold,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53whatever the risk.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01One woman's dream has fundamentally changed Buru and its islanders.