Our Story
What We Do
We are dedicated to building awareness and solidarity for the Saharawis in support of their UN-recognised right to self determination. Our educational and artistic activities seek to amplify their voices and bolster their threatened culture.
We believe the arts are a powerful vehicle for telling the Saharawi story.
Who We Are
Sandblast is a London-based charity that was created, in 2005, as an act of solidarity by founding director Danielle Smith, who became involved with the Saharawi cause after her first visit to the refugee camps in 1991.
In the 14 years that followed, she became an avid advocate for Saharawi self-determination and used her anthropological training to learn about Saharawi culture and speak their dialect of Hassaniya. In this period, Danielle also widely documented the Saharawi story through film and photography and became captivated by the role of the arts in the struggle. Her award-winning film, ‘Beat of Distant Hearts-The Art of Revolution in Western Sahara’ (1999), featured in film festivals throughout Europe, the US and South Africa.
Frustrated by the persistent invisibility surrounding the Saharawi freedom struggle, Danielle became convinced that the arts were a powerful vehicle to create visibility and engagement. The impulse to set up Sandblast was originally to organise the first ever Festival of Saharawi Arts and Culture in the UK, which took place in 2007.
Today, Sandblast encompasses a small team and a broad network of supporters for Western Sahara. Danielle continues to be the driving force of Sandblast, working in a voluntary capacity to raise awareness, build solidarity and recruit volunteers, collaborators and partners to carry out Sandblast’s mission.
2025 celebrates 20 years of Sandblast’s existence!
We aim to harness the power of creativity and solidarity to positively impact the lives of the Saharawis.
Our vision is to evolve with their changing needs and realities—until, one day, we are no longer needed.
Our Mission
Our Value Pillars
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One hand alone cannot clap is a Saharawi proverb we live by at Sandblast. Community is the foundation of our work. Everything we do is built upon generations of connections shared and strengthened by Saharawis. By following community leaders and strengthening relationships, we are able to nurture the connections that help the Saharawi community flourish- both on the ground and in diaspora.
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We strive to empower Saharawis to live the most enriched lives they can despite the injustices they face, while also providing them the skills and support they need to raise their voices against those injustices.
Especially through Desert Voicebox, where we see Saharawi youth gain confidence, cultural pride, and valuable skills to become the next generation of advocates in the fight for sovereignty and justice.
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Sandblast is committed to promoting the voices, culture, and arts of the Saharawis. We believe they must be the primary agents in expressing their aspirations and shaping their future. We work consultatively and collaboratively with the Saharawis to understand their needs and design projects that foster self-reliance and uphold their own aspirations for the future.
We work to use our platform to advocate for their cause, through grassroots connections and campaigns to share their story in their own words.
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Education is the most vital tool for empowering the next generation of Saharawis to become strong advocates and leaders for their community and cause.
Through our program Desert Voicebox, we aim to provide Saharawi youth with the enrichment and language skills essential for a brighter future.
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We strive to promote the appreciation and continued practice of the arts and traditions of Saharawis.
With increased pressure from digital influences, globalization, Moroccanization, and living in diaspora- it is more important than ever to foster relationships between youth and elders, and hold space for culture’s continued role in Saharawi life.
Through initiatives, like our Saharawi Music Lessons with our program Desert Voicebox, we are able to curate a space for this appreciation to take root and flourish.
Our Origins:
The 2007 Sandblast Festival
The Sandblast Festival was the spark that lead to the long and still-burning flame of Sandblast Arts.
Our founder, Danielle Smith, spearheaded this event’s organization and success in November of 2007. Her dedication, hard work, and the support of her network of peers culminated in a three day celebration of Art and Resistance at the Rich Mix Cultural Center in London.
The festival was studded with trailblazers and international artists, such as filmmaker Ken Loach and Algerian Olympic Medalist Hassiba Boulmerka. We hosted an audience of 2,500 spectators- all coming together to stand in solidarity and celebration with Saharawis.
This event marked the beginning of our lush history and ever-evolving story working with a fusion of arts, advocacy, and education.
Opening Night: Henry Bonsu with Sandblast founder, Danielle Smith
