FULLY FUNDED VOLUNTEER ABROAD PROJECTS

Platform2 is a unique opportunity for 18-25 year olds from the UK to volunteer in a developing country and then come back and creatively express their experiences in the UK. It's aimed at people who wouldn't otherwise get the chance to volunteer abroad, so it's fully-funded and free for the volunteer.

The programme includes return economy flights, travel insurance, local food and accommodation, a small local allowance, health screening, a medical kit, all minimum required vaccinations, transfers to and from the airport in country and to and from the project, a guidebook, and full training in the UK and in the country.

Platform2 is a 3 year programme which will see more than 2,500 18 – 25 year olds volunteer for 10 weeks in a number of developing countries including South Africa, Ghana, India and Peru.

Volunteering
On the placements the volunteers will work full-time, either 5 or 6 days a week for a period of 10 weeks. The kinds of community-initiated work volunteers might be involved with are:

• Construction of community buildings, schools and toilets
• Renovation of existing buildings
• Developing new and existing sports pitches, play areas and gardens
• Teaching and caring for children in schools, nurseries or orphanages
• Assisting in HIV clinics and helping with peer education
• Building infrastructure at ecological or conservation areas

The volunteers will travel out and back in groups of 10 to 15 volunteers, and work together in the community. Volunteers will either stay in pairs in local family homes or in dormitories.

The other great thing about Platform2 is that when volunteers get home, they'll be supported and resourced to make a real difference in their community by making people aware of the experiences they've had and what they've learnt. Before they travel, we'll give them ideas of how they might want to record and capture their experiences - through writing, poetry, music, art, photography, dance... whatever they're into. When they return they'll attend a 3 day workshop with other volunteers who have visited various countries where they'll share ideas and develop a plan of how they're going to share their experiences.

There are places left on the December 2008 trip. To apply send in your application form (found on the website) to: Platform2, 16 Bowling Green Lane, London, EC1R 0QH. If we think you're suitable, we'll invite you to an interview.

For more information visit http://www.myplatform2.com.