Lady of the Gobi: trucking coal across the desert to China

On Mongolia’s coal mining highway to the Chinese border, truck driver Maikhuu dreams of a better life and financial security for her three children.

But the more she drives her truck up and down this perilous road the more she realises she is working for the very industry that is destroying the livelihoods of many Mongolians. The highway is also riddled with accidents, toxic pollution, poor hygiene and now, amid the Covid crisis, drivers face days of quarantine on the border. Maikhuu is left wondering if the financial gain is worth the cost.

The Guardian on YouTube:

#LadyOfTheGobi #Mongolia #CoalMining #China #Maikhuu #COVID #Documentary

[l.a.raustadt]

Working out of Minnesota hobbled together 42 years trucking. Marriage, relationships in general hard even when you are primary local. This young lady is doing one of the harder driving jobs I have seen.Big respect.

[uulnaas]

On behalf of all Mongolians, I thank you sincerely for the captivating and moving documentary. Must be the first media agency to cover such story in Mongolia.

I truly appreciate the great work and transparency of the Guardian Media.

Hope the better days are coming for all of us! Godspeed to all of us!

[taterkaze]

Outstanding documentary. Message for Maikhuu: always wear a face mask when unloading or loading coal, or when just standing in a coal yard. Black lung disease will shorten your life.

[samanthav]

What a different and captivating documentary! I felt the pride and the despair of her trials and tribulations. I hope her dreams of an unbroken family comes to fruition, She is beautiful, inside and out!

[meanqueensuperscrimper]

This is heartbreaking. I have been a trucker for 32 years. Being away from your family is part of the job. I hope she is able to go back home to her kids. ilona

[nigelbanksart]

Extraordinarily poignant documentation of personal survival in a harsh (so harsh!) environment - goodness, you have to feel for every one of these drivers. Seeing it all through the daily experiences of a mother seeking her way, her connections to family and sources of meaning is heart rending. To the makers of this documentary: thankyou so much for creating this window through which to reflect on the thousand ways we experience and make meaning in our every moment. Without doubt it is the most moving thing I have watched in Youtube in weeks. Thankyou 🔆

[terobau]

Amazing documentary..big salute and respect to hard working people of Mongolia specially mom.. .. thank you filming team for making and sharing such a beautiful documentary ..✌️

[oseibroni]

I give a lot of respect to Maikhuu, a single mother of 3 daughters. She has lost her home, and is now starting life afresh. And she is facing all the challenges of life all by herself. And she is seemingly on course to realize her dreams. This young woman clearly, has exceeded my expectations. I wish you all the best, Maikhuu.

[tinamcswain]

What a great documentary, these miners are incredible people ❤Doing it for there family and a better life.
The lady driver is the strongest woman I’ve ever seen.
Love and respect 🇦🇺

[abrahamsoto]

As a fellow over the road CDL 🚛driver, I understand perfectly, what this fellow Driver is going through. My heart ♥️ goes out to her I have been doing it for over 11 years pays great got me, my house 🏡my property 🏔and out of financial💸 debt. But it is a lifestyle not a job

[guanaart]

What an amazing job documenting this. Congratulations to the cinematographers and reporters who put this together.

[dr]

Hat’s off to those who made this documentary depicting the day to day activities in the Gobi and Chinese border. Respect for every single soul working in these harsh environments just to keep the industry and city folks live. Bless your soul. Watch this over any blockbuster at any given time.

[scrupulousness.]

Thank you so much! Sitting in our comfortable rooms, watching this made me think a lot!

[chiangsim]

Beautifully done. Helped me to see a different side of Mongolia and her people. Grateful thanks.

[barriewright]

My utmost respect to that lady, mother and bread winner, my heart goes out to you and hope that you will find your way to what you want in life.

[shaunmckenzie]

Enjoyed the Mongolian narration. First time I've heard Mongolian language.

Great Doco!

[FueledbyJohn]

Great documenting of the working conditions people have within the coal logistics industry. 🙂

[wujzkts]

Respect of our the Mongolian women. All of women's trying to do best

[iDelta]

❤great mothers always wants to provide for her kids. My heart goes out to her.

[MrBeeMAD]

That's what is a strong woman. Not a yelling creature in the west.