Women sand miners toil stripped Cape Verde beach⁣ ⁣ On a rocky Cape Verde beach, Maria and Vania fill their buckets with black sand the moment that waves recede, transporting it on their heads to a stockpile where it will be sold illegally.⁣ The women struggle to keep their footing against the rough ocean while balancing the loads, which weigh dozens of kilograms (pounds).⁣ The beach is far from the typical picture postcard image of the west African archipelago and Vania Tavares makes the sign of the cross before stepping into its dangerous waves.⁣ The women, known as "sand thieves", have performed this gruelling task almost daily for more than 15 years in order to survive in one of the island nations' poorest regions.⁣ With solemn expressions, the pair plus four other neighbouring women move in a silent, hours-long dance during low tide at Charco Beach near the town Ribeira da Barca, located on the main island of Santiago.⁣ Maria Eleonore Monteiro's slender frame sways under the weigh...